Thank you so much
My time on earth is no longer mine. This time does not belong to me. It belongs to my children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren yet to be born.
I was born just after midnight UK time 60 years ago. That would be around 7.00am Malaysian time. But already I am receiving loads of birthday wishes.
As I would probably not be able to reply to all your messages, as there are just so many, I would like to thank everyone here in this article for the birthday wishes you sent me and are continuing to send me even as I write this article. I don’t want anyone saying that I am sombong and am ignoring your messages.
My father who was born on 1st July 1925 died on 4th August 1971 at the age of 46. My mother who was born on 11th February 1933 died on 5th November 1980 at the age of 47. The fact that today I am celebrating my 60th birthday means I have been given ‘extended time’, which I certainly must be very grateful for.
This ‘extended time’ does not belong to me. Going by the ages that my parents died I too should have gone a long time ago. And the fact that I am still around not only means I should be grateful I am still alive but that this ‘extended time’ should be used not for my benefit but for the benefit of the nation.
I have seen and done many things in my life. What I have experienced in my 60 years can fill two or more lifetimes for many people. At my age what more is there that I need? Even if I never wake up from sleep tomorrow there are no regrets because I have lived a full life. And if I do wake up then I have to ponder as to why I am still around and what I must do with the balance of my life.
My time on earth is no longer mine. This time does not belong to me. It belongs to my children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren yet to be born.
I pray I get to see another ten years of life. If I get to see more than ten years that is more than I expect and hope for. Whatever it may be and whatever time I may have left, it is so that I can utilise this extra time in trying to make Malaysia a better place for those I leave behind.
The future belongs to the next generation. My job is to ensure that the next generation gets to enjoy life in a country that is conducive to a better quality of life. Quality of life is not about the number of years you live. Quality of life is not about the wealth that you procure. It is about a country free of persecution, discrimination and injustice and where the government respects the fundamental rights of its citizens.
How long we live is not important. Whether it is a short or long life is not crucial. It is what you do in that short time you spend on earth is what matters.
When I leave this world I shall not be able to leave my descendants money or riches because I am not a wealthy man. In fact, I am a declared bankrupt. But what I can leave them would be a legacy that we must always fight for justice and freedom and rise to the defence of the downtrodden. That, I believe, are virtues which even money cannot buy.
So, again, thank you so much for all those birthday wishes. And whether ten years from now you will still be wishing me happy birthday and whether I will still be saying thank you is not foremost in my mind. What is foremost in my mind is that even if I go tomorrow I would go knowing that I have helped plant the seed of dissent and have been able to teach Malaysians that we must never fear the oppression perpetuated by the government but rise and oppose oppression and make the government fear us instead.
Thank you, Malaysians. You are always in my heart and I hope I too will always be in yours long after I am gone and have become dust buried in the earth.
joshua, son n wife
written by jokersland, September 27, 2010 14:57:37
-
- +0
-
-
written by knilecin, September 27, 2010 14:57:22
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday. We should be thanking you! For all you’ve done and sacrificed for M’sians. We
-
- +0
-
-
vivian cheng . . .thinking very hard
written by bintikdebu, September 27, 2010 14:50:51
“Be not weary and faint hearted, crying for peace… for Allah is with you!” (Muhammad 47:35)
“Let us do not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Gal. 6:10)
-
- +1
-
-
Your services are part of God’s work. You will be granted a long, long life to fulfill God’s wishes.
May you and your family members be blessed with abundance and be protected from harm.
Cheers!
michael
-
- +1
-
-
shannon kong with some dust in her eye . . .tsk tsk
written by educationist, September 27, 2010 14:40:44
On that basis,RPK u towers over many of us!!
-
- +5
-
-
what's with the 2-piece outfit?
written by alfchuah, September 27, 2010 14:27:22
To another 10 years and more!!!
-
- +11
-
-
written by penangite, September 27, 2010 14:27:03
-
- +7
-
-
aren't you cold?
written by truthbespoken, September 27, 2010 14:26:53
Dear RPK, you are the 180% opposite of former PM Mahakutty. At 60, you have single-handedly accomplished the type of Malaysian unity in which no other politician had been able to do. Whereas, at 85, Mahakutty is still trying his very best to segregate Malaysians. This is the difference between good and evil. You have learned much about mankind and still doing your level best for Malaysians. This cannot not be applied to Mahakutty. He is a complete failure as leader and person.
Dear RPK. may you have many more years to come. You need to see Malaysians through this uncertain period. Malaysians need you to fight along . Many Happy Returns of the day. Thank you again. Your name shall be chiseled in the annals of history as the man who changed Malaysia for the better. Cheers!
-
- +12
-
-
even amberly c is getting in on it
written by Oscar Winner, September 27, 2010 14:23:22
According to medical reports, healthy humans can live till more than 100 if great care is taken in food intake and the air that we breathe, especially if both are free from toxins as much as possible. I cetainly hope you live till 100 and still sprightly while riding your motorbikes. On every bithday, we thank god we survive another year, but the harsh reality is we are another year closer to the grave. Let’s all strive to leave behind a legacy for our children and theirs, too. Like I said before, I would like to bring my kids to meet you — our great hero— and say “give me a five”. Therefore, stay safe and healthy till there’s a new govt and return to meet my kids (forget about returning now). We look forward to your home coming
-
- +8
-
-
we all oso want to wear 2-piece gear! yay! *giggle* giggle*
written by Ben, September 27, 2010 14:12:10
Father God, may You bless our brother, RPK, whom we love very much. May You protect and guide him and his family to do Your will on earth as it is in heaven. May you also grant him his wish to see Malaysia transform into the country that “would be a legacy that we must always fight for justice and freedom and rise to the defence of the downtrodden.” In your precious name we ask all this. Amen.
-
- +16
-
-
written by alphabetagamma, September 27, 2010 14:11:39
RPK Hapy Birthday. Hope you don’t mind us making a birthday wish on your behalf which is to see documentary proof that Mahakutty was documented as an INDIAN during his time as a medical student at UM (Singapore) . Please use your sources and resources to locate and upload here for all Malaysia Today readers to read and disseminate
Please please please birthday boy!!!!
-
- +12
-
-
BUT, butt, but we all by a duo or group wor...n we got no titties to show off
written by JayJayPo, September 27, 2010 14:10:27
What you have done for our nation’s well being in inspiring and waking up the Rakyat to claim back their country these last few years from the evil regime of UMNO/BN…..is your legacy to us Sir.
Have a great birthday with your loved ones and may God bless you with good health and happiness.
-
- +14
-
-
i got two (2) ripe ones
written by G-old man, September 27, 2010 14:10:11
Happy 60th birthday . Naked we come , naked shall we go. While we live the balance of our life on this earth , let us help those unfortunate .
Even if our service or advice is not needed , let us hope and pray that this once blessed land will not be destroyed by our greedy and selfish politicians
-
- +11
-
-
written by youngbags, September 27, 2010 14:03:07
-
- +9
-
-
will youse guys stop fooking around?
written by panca, September 27, 2010 14:02:40
You have been and still will be the best for us, we, the Rakyat look forward to meet you to hold you, hug you and shake your hands. Time never stop us from wanting, wishing for the best for Malaysia, it is you that we await your home-coming, in the very near future when change becomes very near, so near that the Rakyat shall make this very day realized – The Vote For Change is the vote from YOU. We owe that to you and our ourselves, our brothers and sisters of Malaysia.
We are with you, always. We love you dearly because you represent the People who needs change for the better. May you live a long long life. We shall see the change in the immediate future.
Happy Birthday to you and excellent health to all in the family.
Many Cheers!
-
- +13
-
-
me is a street-racing hottie
written by syd, September 27, 2010 13:55:20
Bakar Merah Red Burn 
Wish you a happy belated birthday and many happy returns of the day.