The following word has become quite common nowadays being uttered by various parties including politicians. This word carries great repercussions and deemed to be seditious in the eyes of Malaysian law. Yet this word is commonly used in the current globalized world whereby citizens from various countries crossing borders and settling down in foreign lands. Is not that is what an immigrant meant? According to Oxford definition, an immigrant is “a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country”.
Judging by that definition, as a Chinese, my forefather did come to a foreign country known as Malaya then from China to live permanently here. Therefore he is indeed an immigrant. His sons after him were born here in Malaya and were given citizenships. From that day onwards, the generation is known as Malaysians. That is a bit of history for my race and I bet it should be the same for other immigrant-races like Indians, Eurasians etc. Come to think of it, it is quite similar as well to the great nation United States of America. The whole country is literally built by immigrants from all corners of the world. They are citizens there as well.
The latest hullabaloo of being labeled as immigrants here in Malaysia actually constitutes to nothing serious. What is worrying here is the wider picture is not clearly seen. Let’s take the USA as example. The immigrant-races there are usually being referred to as second-generation immigrants or third-generation immigrants but the most important reference is that they are American citizens and as citizens their rights are protected by the country’s constitution. The rights include rights to vote, education, healthcare and lots more. Therefore if put that into context here in Malaysia, I actually wouldn’t mind being labeled a descendant of immigrants or even third-generation immigrant. But what concerns me most is I am a Malaysian with full citizenship and this gives me the right to vote, education, healthcare and many more benefits accorded to a citizen under the Malaysian constitution.
Therefore, to all so-called immigrants here in Malaysia, just chill and put this into mind “Call me an immigrant or what not, but never deny my rights as a citizen”. God bless Malaysia.
Judging by that definition, as a Chinese, my forefather did come to a foreign country known as Malaya then from China to live permanently here. Therefore he is indeed an immigrant. His sons after him were born here in Malaya and were given citizenships. From that day onwards, the generation is known as Malaysians. That is a bit of history for my race and I bet it should be the same for other immigrant-races like Indians, Eurasians etc. Come to think of it, it is quite similar as well to the great nation United States of America. The whole country is literally built by immigrants from all corners of the world. They are citizens there as well.
The latest hullabaloo of being labeled as immigrants here in Malaysia actually constitutes to nothing serious. What is worrying here is the wider picture is not clearly seen. Let’s take the USA as example. The immigrant-races there are usually being referred to as second-generation immigrants or third-generation immigrants but the most important reference is that they are American citizens and as citizens their rights are protected by the country’s constitution. The rights include rights to vote, education, healthcare and lots more. Therefore if put that into context here in Malaysia, I actually wouldn’t mind being labeled a descendant of immigrants or even third-generation immigrant. But what concerns me most is I am a Malaysian with full citizenship and this gives me the right to vote, education, healthcare and many more benefits accorded to a citizen under the Malaysian constitution.
Therefore, to all so-called immigrants here in Malaysia, just chill and put this into mind “Call me an immigrant or what not, but never deny my rights as a citizen”. God bless Malaysia.
