In The Ring > Life, or something like it

Last Saturday, I spent a quarter of the day driving to Mak Toks house (my wifes grandmother) in Kangar, Perlis. Being politically correct, I always look forward to going back to Perlis but have to admit we don't make the trip nearly often enough.

We usually head down the long and winding highway during the Hari Raya festivities. With a fairly tight schedule, I never really have had the opportunity to absorb the majestic sights and scenes of our most northern State, the last Malaysian bastion before the Kingdom of Thailand. This time I was determined it would be different.

The picturesque setting, surrounded by mountains and tranquility so real you can almost grasp it, greeted my arrival. At approximately 11pm on a Saturday night, the main roads were almost pitch dark, the town centre devoid of any life except for a sole warung serving but a handful of patrons. This is in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Saturday night KL where life swings into action around the same time.

Waking up in the morning to a hearty breakfast of nasi ganja (thats what its called!), I sat at the front bench of Mak Tok's house. Amidst the lush greenery, the question that came to my mind was: what is the definition of the quality of life?

In the past, rural poor was a key problem in Malaysia. In view of this, policies were drawn up to eradicate rural poverty and to narrow the gap between the urban and the rural. Further, with industralisation, migration to the cities was looked upon as a measure to free oneself from poverty.

The rate of urbanisation increased exponentially. The current administration's refocusing on agriculture as a key economic thrust is geared towards alleviating the plight of the rural poor. With high commodity prices, their livelihood, largely dependent on produce such as rubber, has increased considerably. Rubber tappers driving Kancils are no longer peculiar sights. The corridor initiative has also brought back the lustre to the smaller town areas, prompting reverse migration.

On the other hand, urban poverty is fast becoming a real problem for the country like eight people living in two-bedroomed flats, the shabby standard of living in most squatter areas to the crime rate in densely populated areas and increasing reports of social and moral decay. These are common themes in our cities, and with so-called progressive development, urban poverty has truly arrived.

So, what is the measure of quality of life? Is it going back home to a low-cost rented apartment, after spending an average of 12 to 15 hours in front of a computer screen only to earn a meagre salary that barely makes ends meet? I am not writing in the context of the quality of life index that is used to determine how much water is available, but of that internal happiness that makes you say, convincingly, Yes, this is home.

Another aspect of quality of life that is proving to be a real concern is the spirit of living in a community. Maybe for some (me especially), losing ourselves in the never-ending rat race has made us forget about the shared responsibilities of living in a society. When was the last time you dropped by your neighbours house? When was the last time you sat in a coffee shop and knew almost everyone there by name?

In conversation with a friend, he let in that after retirement he would relocate up north, to a nice quiet place. Try his hand at agriculture, he said. His plans ring of a wanting, a home truth that is exemplified by more and more of our urban elite who are building weekend bungalows either in their hometowns or in areas like Janda Baik. Having a kebun is fashionable again. Ah, the greener pastures.

I confess I epitomise the city slicker, but the opportunity to savour kampung life is something I am mighty thankful for. Without exposure to this important perspective, Im sure I would have stuck to this notion of backwardness and idleness painted of rural Malaysia.

The divide is definitely narrowing, but sitting on Mak Toks bench on a breezy Sunday morning, I wonder who is actually ahead.