The Real Malaysia - A tale of three Malaysians

Let me tell you a story about the real Malaysia. It’s a tale of three Malaysians.

My mother grew up poor, and until today she does not know how to spend money. I must admit I have the same problem, though I’ve been trying very hard to practice some self-love, hence the BMW. Each time I send Umi back to Penang, I am very unhappy to send her off on the Plusliner bus. I’d rather have my driver drive her back, or put her on the Aeroline. But Umi always insists on the cheapest bus possible.

Umi in the Plusliner

So there I was beside the Plusliner. And thanks to Umi’s prudence I got to witness the real Malaysia.

The bus was scheduled to leave at 1 p.m. but one of the passengers had not arrived yet. Waiting with me were two men.

The man on the left was asking the bus driver to wait, on behalf of his wife or sister or his friend who was late. Without a complaint or show of unhappiness, the bus driver graciously agreed. The man on the right, in the check shirt, had a ticket for a later bus, but he came early to see if there was a chance he could board an earlier bus.

As someone was late and a seat was available, he could have just insisted to take the seat and not bother about the lady who was late. It would be his right. Instead, he took the trouble to talk to this man and arranged that if she cannot get there in time, they could exchange tickets so that she can board the next bus.

Now a few things struck me about this. First of all, the bus driver had the right to just depart once it was one o’ clock. If in Europe, the bus would definitely leave at 1 pm sharp. It would be his right to go. The power was in his hands to wield, but he was not arrogant and did not try to impose it. Instead, almost naturally he waited.

What about the Chinese guy? There was an opportunity when there was an empty seat, but did not insist on his right, even though it would be in his own self interest.

What was amazing about all this is there seemed to be an unwritten cultural understanding. If it were not so, to follow the rules would mean that at one o clock the bus would move, and at one o clock the Chinese man could gladly take the empty seat. But instead of taking care of their own interests, they were flexible enough to give, to compromise for the sake of others.

When the lady arrived, she looked at me and apologized. She didn’t have to. She was only eight minutes late. Perhaps she knew that I was hoping to get the chance to catch Friday prayer.

And I’ll tell you why we’ve got hope.

Later, when all were on board, the bus driver prepped himself.

He was putting on hands-free earphones.

So the Plusliner departed, and I waved goodbye to Umi. On my way back, this is what I saw:

taxi driver, reading such a thick book.

Don’t listen to hatemongers. Don’t listen to the small group of people who arrogantly wield what little power they have.

This tale of three Malaysians is the real Malaysia. This is the real Malaysia at the ground level, the Malaysia we can learn about from the people who take the Plusliner.