My two best friends then , in the early 1970's were Anita Doraisamy and Chan Swee Cheng. I had malay friends , of course. But these two were my closest.

Anita Doraisamy , we shared the same birth sign, I was born on the 1st of April whilst she on the 2nd.So every time April is around the corner I will always remember her, wondering whether she ever has any thoughts of me like I do of her. I suppose being born one day apart, we do have a lot in common. Like most Arians that I know of, we do not do the norm. She was quite temperamental then . I understood her.

Swee Cheng, sweet sweet Swee Cheng. I wonder whether she is in Malaysia or has she moved to Australia to be with her sister? I remember she has a sister who was married to an Australian Mat Salleh.Then,migrating to Australia was quite common. It is still quite common. Back then I used to think that only the non-malays do that. But recent statistics did show that it is not so. Well, they have their reasons. Perhaps the grass is really greener on that side of the fence. Its ok. Its better than staying on, not happy about things, complaining and complaining.

But then again, what is there to complain? We are all prosperous. Let us not lie to ourselves. It is a fact. With or without the so called helping hand, we are still prosperous.

Let's agree to disagree, that sometimes we don't see eye to eye over certain issues. But despite that we do share a lot of common goals, for the good of our children, of our future generations.Let us learn to share, to put aside that differences. Let us not forget our history, our past so as to understand our path towards the future.

Almost 30 years on, today, I still have my good friends,of course they are still a mixture. I value their friendship, their understanding, their concern. I laugh with them, I cry with them. And I hope to do so for many many more years to come.

So, Happy Malaysia Day everyone. Here's looking forward to greater things ahead.