TEN THINGS I WOULD DO FOR MALAYSIA IF I WERE A CELEBRITY

By Tham Yi Min

Ah, Malaysia. The magnificent land of where I was born. This nation is well known of selfconfessed food lovers and happy-go-lucky people. Yes, it is definitely the country which I simply
adore most in this world. I, just like many of my fellow young compatriots, love my country to
bits and wouldnt hesitate to contribute to it. And, just like some of my teenage countrymen, I
sometimes daydream about what it would be like if I were a globally celebrated celebrity. One
things for sure though, if I were a celebrity, I would do my utmost to help make my beloved
country a better place than it already is.
So, what will be on my newly compiled list of things I would do if I were a celebrity? Well,
firstly, if I were an actress, I would become a Hollywood ambassador for Malaysia. At the time
being, there is only one Hollywood actress from Malaysia who has made a prominent name for
herself in an industry which has been known to be cut-throat and demanding. Indeed, Datuk
Michelle Yeoh has done the country proud with her stellar performance in the blockbuster movie
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. As an actress hailing from the same country as her, I would
endeavour to emulate her level of success by taking over Hollywood. I would let it be known that
my mother country is a geographically small country located in Southeast Asia and profess my
pride for my countrys achievements. Naturally, more people would get to know Malaysia and this
would put Malaysia at a higher spot on the international stage.
Second on my list would be to invite all my other celebrity friends to Malaysia. Being a famous
celebrity throughout the world, I would definitely be able to meet other celebrities at social
functions and red carpet events. There, I would build good rapport with them and get assimilated
into their social circle. Once we become good friends, I would encourage them to visit my home
country and introduce them to the sinfully delicious food that is sold in all parts of the country, I
can almost imagine the intoxicated looks on their faces as they indulge in the many kinds of
Malaysian cuisine that will leave them wanting for more! Not only that, I shall introduce them to
the plethora of cultures and festive celebrations which are the results of a multiracial and
multicultural community in Malaysia. Festivals such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year,
and Thaipusam will definitely captivate them as these festivals are celebrated in a grand and
impressive way. Little by little, my celebrity friends would be so enamored with Malaysia that
they cant wait for their next visit here!
Besides that, I would persuade an international film director to shoot a movie in Malaysia. I
suppose this shouldnt be a difficult task, as Malaysia is full of scenic and lush natural
environments that would make great backdrops for movies. Or, even if the director prefers the
hustling and bustling environments of a fast-paced city, he or she could always opt to shoot a
movie in the highly metropolitan capital of Kuala Lumpur, where the majestic Twin Towers
proudly stand. This pair of towers which were once the tallest buildings in the world caught the
eye of the director of the movie, Mission Impossible 3, so much so that he decided to film a scene
of the lead character (played by suave Tom Cruise) climbing the buildings. All in all, irrespective

of whatever kind of movie a director would want to shoot, Malaysia is full of pride to own such a
perfect backdrop for it, and I plan to convince Hollywood directors of that.
On the economic front, I would increase my countrys revenue by promoting Malaysia as a top
tourist destination. Tourism which plays a major part in my countrys economy, contributes about
RM56.5 billion in revenue as of the year 2011. Thus, to boost Malaysias economy, I would depict
Malaysia as a family-friendly and welcoming nation. If I were a celebrity, I would constantly
portray an image of having a sunny disposition and work this image to my countrys advantage by
appearing in Visit Malaysia campaigns all over the world. Upon seeing a notable celebrity in a
tourism advertisement for a country already well-known for its warm-hearted and cordial citizens,
people worldwide would surely take an interest in bringing the whole family to travel to our
country. When they do end up having a pleasant time in Malaysia, they will likely spread the word
about Malaysias hospitality and first class services back in their native country. This, in turn, will
inspire their fellow countrymen to visit Malaysia as well bringing with them the promise of future
profits and a great boost to our economy.
Furthermore, I shall be the spokesperson for Malaysian brands trying to tap into the international
market. Malaysia, I believe, host a vast number of brands that have the potential to make it big
globally. This is because Malaysian entrepreneurs are not short of characteristics such as
determination, creativity, hard work, and dedication. Now all they need is a popular personality to
vouch for their products overseas, and who better to do that than someone who truly believes in
their brand name and wants to see them succeed? When I become a world-class celebrity, I would
offer to endorse Malaysian brands and do my best to convey the message that Malaysian products
are reliable, reasonably priced, and have an ensured quality. That way, Malaysians will have the
confidence to penetrate and establish their brands in the international market.
Having said that, a celebrity should also be socially conscious, and not be too caught up with the
perks of fame, as many celebrities have unfortunately had succumbed to. Hence, as a celebrity
who is aware of her social responsibility, I would strive to alert the public on the plight of many
underprivileged Malaysians who are struggling in life, for example, people like the orphans, the
disabled, and slum dwellers. Nowadays, even with the rapid increase of household affluence, it is
not uncommon to find people living from hand to mouth in dire conditions in both urban and rural
areas. However, many people still remain oblivious to the sufferings and hardships faced by those
who arent fortunate enough to enjoy a decent life. When I become a celebrity, I would do my part
to shed light on this group of people who have long been overshadowed by our countrys
economic successes and raise awareness on their welfare. If we dont take the time off our busy
schedules to show these people that we truly care for them, who will?
In addition, I would contribute generously to Malaysian charities. Again, this boils down to
social responsibility, which I plan on upholding. A famous celebrity usually wouldnt be cashstrapped, and being one, I would donate a large portion of my fortune to local charities that are
fiscally responsible, such as The SPCA, The National Cancer Society, and World Vision Malaysia.
Thus, underfunded charitable organizations can benefit from my philanthropy and help those in
need to ensure that they lead a more fulfilling life. And if I have extra time on my hands, I

wouldnt hesitate to personally get involved in charity work. By that way, not only would I be
contributing directly to charities, I would also be providing publicity for it as well. Then, more
people will get to know of the charity and be inclined to dedicate themselves to a better cause for
humanity.
As Malaysia aspires to transform into a developed nation by the year 2020, the country requires
talents and young people who are morally upright and have a good sense of judgment. Thus, this is
where I, as a celebrity, come into the picture. Although Im celebrated throughout the world, Ill
still hold on to my roots and the moral values that I have been taught to adhere to since young, and
not let the glitz and glamour of fame affect me. As I have a relatively normal upbringing in
Malaysia, I can resonate well with the average young Malaysian. This plus point allows them to
have faith in me as I have gone through pretty much the same things as them, and I plan to be a
deserving role model whom they can look up to. I would encourage them to channel their energy
into doing beneficial and worthwhile activities instead of dabbling in unhealthy activities that will
be detrimental to their future such as gangsterism, doing drugs, and illegal racing.
Apart from that, I shall also become a mentor to aspiring Malaysian celebrities. As someone who
has a wealth of experiences in this field, I would give them pointers on how to become a
successful and well-respected celebrity. Also, I would inform them that life as a celebrity is not a
bed of roses as there are turbulent times that they have to prepare to weather through if they want
to succeed. In case they hit a rough patch on the way to international fame, my guidance, which
will always be available to them, will be invaluable. The importance of handling fame in a prudent
and proper way will also be something that I would place heavy emphasis on, to avoid my mentee
from ending up on the wrong side of fame. Under my careful tutelage, my mentees will be
inspired to work hard to achieve their dreams, and when that happens, I will be thoroughly proud
of them.
Last but not least my final wish is to do what I want most to develop the entertainment industry
in Malaysia. I think as a country, we are never short of talent, its just that the lack of platforms
available hinders us from reaching our full potential. If I were a celebrity, I would star in a
Malaysian-made movie or collaborate with a local artiste in the hopes of boosting their careers. In
addition to that, I would take a few promising local celebrities under my wing and help them gain
international exposure to expand their careers. When more and more celebrities well-known
throughout the world hail from Malaysia, industry bigwigs will start to take note of the immense
and unlimited talent available in this great country. Thus, they will be more willing to invest in the
entertainment industry here and this leads to the gradual maturing of the local industry.
In a nutshell, those are the things that I would do for Malaysia if I were a celebrity. Needless to
say, Malaysia will always be one of the top priorities for the celebrity me. And how could it not
be? Without Malaysia, I wouldnt even exist! Therefore, it is my duty and obligation to do
whatever it takes to repay the country which has made me what I am today. Thank you, Malaysia!