Success does not come overnight

Our news headline loves to highlight any achievement of Malaysians especially those abroad. In this case it is mining magnate Sam Chong, who becomes Australia's first Malaysian-born billionaire. I'm not trying to belittle his success but please consider that he is now 69 years old and went to Australia in 1973. That was nearly forty years ago and for all intents and purposes he is an Australian success story.

The news also mentioned another Malaysian-born who is close to joining the Billionaires Club. Property developer Maha Sinnathamby, 72, moved to Sydney after leaving St Paul's Institution, Seremban, to complete an engineering degree. That should easily be at least 50 years of being abroad.

The two examples is solid proof that success does not come easily. It takes years of hard work and dedication to achieve their current position. It so happens that they achieved their success in a foreign land. We should be proud that they were born in Malaysia but they went through their struggles and had the experiences out of this country.

It was the host country that moulded and nurtured them to be what they are today, not Malaysia. There have been many who went away and many have found fame and fortune elsewhere. They must have found obstacles and challenges just like anywhere else where new comers congregate. Take a look at the foreigners in our midst. They left their countries to find their pot of gold here. Some of them made it, not in the billionaire's league but at least in a better position than when they were in their homeland.

The same situation awaits any Malaysian who takes that ultimate step trying to make it good abroad. This news itself can be taken positively as the two are representatives of the Malaysian diaspora who have made a name for themselves and indirectly made the country of their birth more well-known. We do obviously wonder whether they could have made the same impact locally. Nonetheless, the fact of the matter is that the host country has benefited and we can always share in the glory.

Image from theredpillroom