Somehow, when you turn 65, you begin to look at life somewhat differently. Some say 60 is the more important timing cut-off, because after that one is turning towards the third phase of life. Regardless, for me it appears that 65 is the final phase for this life of goodness which our Great God has given me and us in Malaysia.

This past month, we lost a dear friend and brother who was only 65; hearty and healthy till the end, but dengue took him in one of the best hospitals in KL.

All considered, last year we became a 4G family; with my dad who is now 96 and very much alive, and my grandson who is nine months and growing fast. Now, bear in mind, not many of us can live to be and see the blessing of four generations with one’s eyes and within one’s lifetime.

Therefore on this 65th birthday I want to count my many blessings and give thanks to the Good Lord for each of them. Thanks also to the literal hundreds who wished me happy birthday via social technology; now, I really understand the aggregation power of the net.

My thanksgiving

Firstly, I am blessed not only to come from a Mar Thoma Syrian Christian tradition of 2000 years, but also that I found favour with my God in April 1969 to make a personal faith commitment to Jesus as My Saviour. My one friend and another Old Putera mate from Sungai Petani were with me at that moment; but, interestingly, we three also had breakfast together last Saturday. What a privilege and an equal blessing to be among friends who matter in and for life.

Secondly, we are blessed with five great children (ages from 32 to 21) with two even greater spouses, and four of my siblings and their greater spouses and my dad for a wonder-full birth-life experience in Malaysia. We could also celebrate together as three families while appreciating my first three-generational birthday treat last Saturday through my great American wife.

Thirdly, from 50 years ago, I have come to know and get close to some of the best Malays friends one can ever find in Malaysia. We were all reunited last March through our golden get-together; and since then, when one of our very own was lost to dengue, it was truly heart-wrenching. Mathew Yoong was with us in Lumut and was one of the live wires of our gathering.

Now, all of us were truly and equally sorrowful without any racial or religious prejudices, as observed at the three stages of the funeral. Death is always an equaliser and reminder of the frailty of life; regardless of our particularities. I thank God for these friends and 50 years of sincere friendships. May it last this whole year; much like our ragging.

Fourthly, after 10 years of post-retirement NGO work, we are slowly beginning to see the fruits of our labour, as we seek to nurture this country through good governance and transparency; however reluctantly this is going to be achieved. My prayer is that we do not lose hope but keep up the good fight for this agenda.

Fifthly, as Christians who call Malaysia home, we are coming of age to recognise the weaknesses in some of our historical and colonial theology with many cultural but non-scientific interpretations. Therefore and thereby, a group of willing and voluntary Christians called KDN, or Kairos Dialogue Network, has framed a Christian Social Vision statement for public reading and support.

We also organised a forum to discuss and engage with as many other Christians as possible on this document. We also agreed to have some sincere non-Christian participants as observers.

Sixthly, I am blessed to be from Sungai Petani, Kedah. There we grew up and that was home to my parents and all of us until about 10 years ago; when we moved our parents to Petaling Jaya for reasons of health and better human love and care. We have some great friends, family, and community from Sungai Petani and I am convinced that we did all drink different water than most other Malaysians.

We want to make a difference; just count how many great people come from Sungai Petani. How else can you explain that the late Dr Irene Fernandez ( photo ) and retired Judge Syed Ahmad Aidid are both from Sungai Petani? And both my Old Putera buddies Yahya Sofi and Mohd Ariff Yusof are my Standard 1 classmates.

Seventhly, I am thankful for beautiful Malaysia; once truly Asia but now slowly and surely becoming Melayusia. We were designed and formed to be Malaysia; a union of four partners, but then Singapore left. The root word, Malay, is an English word, and not a Melayu word.  Therefore, we cannot allow Malaysia to become Melayusia as desired explicitly by those with the ‘ketuanan agenda’.

My prayer for Malaysia

We are a rich and bountiful country. As Ghandi said, we have more than enough for all needs but not for all greed. Greed for monetary wealth drives institutional Malaysia today. That has now become a curse; including petty thefts at an all-time high (my home just got robbed for the first time ever since I remember).

Driving on roads is also now a danger; trailer trucks speed at 120kph on privatised highways.  Theft, stealing and law-breaking is all around us if we care to notice.

My prayer therefore for Malaysia is the same as a prophetic utterance some stranger made in a WhatsApp sent to me recently. The prophetic utterance promised that there will be a change in the leadership of the government of Malaysia, and a clean new leadership will emerge which honours the Lord God and does not fear man.

That is also my prayer, and has been, ever since I took optional retirement; after I concluded that the public service had become incorrigible and told the same to my minister.

New leadership requires new values and a new culture of honour, mutual respect, and sincere honesty. The most important definitional word for character of leadership is ‘integrity’; the most expensive concept of the 21st Century also.

Unless the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Integrity Commission, the Integrity Institute and the chief secretary work together with the attorney-general and the auditor-general; there will be no integrity in Malaysia in the public spheres of life. Politicians have too many internal bosses to be able to define integrity. Integrity makes it requisite for citizens to help define the word and we can currently only do it through an election.

Therefore, we have to speak with our votes; no more excuses and no more next time.

That is my birthday wish for Malaysia, and my solemn prayer for Malaysia. My late mother bought me a cake to take to school in Standard 1; that was my introduction to life in public spaces of caring enough to share with all others. This column is therefore also my dedication of the prayer to my late mother who is not around to see it happen. May God bless Malaysia as needed.