Money Better Spent Elsewhere

We are a nation of record breakers. There is no doubt about it. Every few weeks, we read of individuals or groups attempting to achieve the seemingly impossible. Do we need such glory? Malaysia is famous enough worldwide. We certainly do not need stunts like these to put our country in any map anywhere. Still, we have those who think they are doing Malaysia proud by being the first in the Guinness Book of World Records and Malaysia Book of Records. In pursing such dreams, they sometimes lose sight of the essential needs of their fellow Malaysians.

Imagine how many underprivileged that can be helped with the RM15 million that is being sought from sponsors to fund the record breaking feat of flying solo around the world. What can be purposefully achieved by this act? We have also read of the sick needing funds for their surgeries and the donations were slow in coming. Imagine how many of these acutely ill?s suffering that can be eased if the money needed are available immediately. I hope sponsors will have the wisdom to channel their money where is it needed most, to give the genuinely needy a new lease of life, instead of fulfilling the overly-expensive dream of one.

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

7 thoughts on “Money Better Spent Elsewhere”

  1. exactly my thoughts too, peter.

    the way i see it, these sponsors wants recognition and a name for themselves, so they prefer to sponsor record-breaking feats.

    just think those money that were washed down the drain could be put to better use, like as you said, for poor, underpriveleged or sick… or even for improving infrastructure like transport and flood mitigation. *sigh*

  2. Lucia,
    Twenty years from now nobody would even remember who the global solo flight sponsors were. However, the acutely ill who got well from a sponsor’s money will forever be grateful and continuously tell those who would care to listen on how generous their sponsors had been.

  3. Yeah Peter i recall when Joe blogged about “Two Records Broken ”

    I do agree with you,though money could be better spent else where.But OZ is the same large companies sponsoring trivial events.

    tcz

  4. Sweetspirit,
    It is sad when great amount of money is spent needlessly this way when the same amount could have saved the lives of many.

  5. I agree with you Peter, the money should go to the needy… Hope this guy doesn’t get the sponsor’s money… Seems like a big waste…

  6. While most of us do agree with your thinking Peter, unfortunately, we are not in the position to create a change. The money sponsored does not belong to us. So we can only observe and feel the slight tug at our hearts. Sad, isn’t it?

    I remember you have in your mind a project which you want to do to help those in need. We can all chip in to start it and help the needy with whatever we can rake in, however small the project may be. Those with time and expertise can contribute their time and skills. Those with funds can contribute funds. Those with contacts can promote the cause to get in funds. I always marvel at the way the Hong Kong television stations organise fund raising events and charity gala shows. Is this possible in Malaysia ever?

  7. Andy,
    I hope the money goes to where it is needed most.

    Chee Wai,
    While one voice cannot speak volumes, many who speak up against such extravagance can create a very loud commotion, loud enough to be heard by the big men up there who control how the tap flows.

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