The quest for national success amidst sixty years of independence…
As we usher and celebrate the upcoming 60th anniversary of our national independence, let us not forget the tireless and priceless contributions of our forefathers and predecessors. From our ‘Bapa Merdeka’ Tunku Abdul Rahman who brought us our precious freedom and liberty from imperial colonialists since 1957, to our ‘Bapa Projek Mega’ Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad who envisaged a developed nation by year 2020 with his unprecedented mega projects galore, Malaysia as a young nation of sixty years is still pretty much at its infancy with constant struggles and continual challenges in the quest for Vision 2020. This year’s Hari Kebangsaan or National Day themed “Negaraku ~ Sejati Sejiwa” certainly holds great significance for Malaysians as we move ever closer to achieving the coveted developed nation status. As Malaysia approaches its golden objective, perhaps there is no better time for us to profess our love for our homeland, or to pledge our utmost commitment to build and develop this great and glorious nation. Let us foster greater unity, maintain stronger harmony and promote everlasting prosperity for our one and only beloved country – MALAYSIA.
Malaysia is truly a unique and ubiquitous country – with its rich heritage, diverse culture, and abundant resources. Malaysia is also internationally-renowned for its national unity and global tenacity. From surviving the infamous 1998 Asian financial crisis to creating many monumental world-class development projects, Malaysia is indeed living the dream, and its growing population is a testament to this fact. Great infrastructure projects are incomplete without nurturing human talent and knowledge capital. There are numerous instances of towering figures among Malaysians who have contributed immensely to the nation. These so-called “Towering Malaysians” have always inspired and have driven us to be greater than ourselves, and to become more than what we can be. We can all identify them through luminary figures and national icons such as Datuk Jimmy Choo (celebrity shoe designer), Datuk Michelle Yeoh (Hollywood superstar), Datuk Lee Chong Wei (badminton maestro), Datuk Nicol Ann David (squash queen), and not forgetting our “golden girls” in platform diving. They have brought unlimited fame and countless fortune to the country. A fine example is the 29th SEA Games 2017 held in Kuala Lumpur which was a smashing success and a great economic contributor. Also, its theme slogan ‘Bangkit Bersama’ says it all – Rise Together!
In addition to major sporting activities, another memorable event in the real estate fraternity is the ARENA Convention & Exhibition (ACE) 2017 which was launched at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the SEA Games. This is another great way to showcase Malaysia to the world, and to promote greater regional economic collaboration. Over 600 delegates from ASEAN and other countries attended the convention to discuss cross-border real estate practices, share technical skills and impart precious knowledge, as well as gain invaluable insights and golden opportunities within the global property industry. Aimed towards real estate practitioners, ACE 2017 was organized by the chair and secretariat of this year’s ASEAN Real Estate Network Alliance (ARENA) together with Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA). The conference was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Finance Malaysia, YB Dato’ Lee Chee Leong.
Whatever your passion or profession, the quest for success is innate in all Malaysians. As we celebrate Merdeka, let us not forget our roots and our past heritage. As we prosper and grow our wealth, let us also not forget the needy and the underprivileged. As the great tennis king Arthur Ashe once said, “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is more important than the outcome.” We can never attain perfection, but we can always strive for excellence. Let us all continue to be driven by passion and be inspired by excellence. Malaysia Boleh! Homefinder Malaysia wishes all Malaysians Happy Merdeka Day 2017. MERDEKA!