MARTIN KHOR: LEGACY of HAPPINESS

Hira Jhamtani | Mar 28, 2021 | Books and Films, Journey and people | 4,615 comments

What legacy would you leave for your grandchild? Martin Khor’s legacy for his granddaughter is a small book that unlocks the secret to happiness. He wrote the articles, collected in this book, many years ago but the principles are relevant today and will remain so in the future.

Martin Khor is a legendary economic justice activist, environmental activist and consumer rights advocate. He left his physical body in April 2020, leaving the book “The Secret to Happiness” as a legacy for his grand daughter, but also for his readers and friends.

This 47 page book, published by Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) in 2019, consists of six articles. They were originally written in a column titled Secret to Happiness in the newspaper of the Consumers Association of Penang, where Martin was the editor.

There are many quotable insightful statements in the book. Here are some of them.

“… Happiness is not having other people admire us for our belongings. Happiness comes when people respect and love us for being ourselves.” But Martin also argued that the very first basis of happiness is that we have enough food, shelter, cloths and a comfortable degree of physical security. During his lifetime, he had advocated the fulfillment of these basic needs in an equitable manner.

“To be happy is not the same as to be ‘successful”.

The key to happiness is to build up our own inner wealth”. He mentioned three vital keys to inner wealth. First is to develop the joy of giving and receiving love. Second, one needs to have creative work and healthy recreation. Work needs to be a source of fulfillment and joy. Third is to search for knowledge and truth. There is a special quote on the third aspect: “Many people who are not literate still possess great wisdom which they have accumulated from living life to the full with a giving, healthy attitude”. He was referring to the elders in traditional societies.

Martin also pointed out some structures and values in society must be changed in order that everyone can fulfill their basic needs, which is the basis for happiness. Changing these structures and values is the objective of Martin’s advocacy work on global justice.

The last article carries all the messages of the other five articles. This was a speech at the Right Livelihood Awards ceremony, at the Swedish Parliament on 9 December 1988. The award was given to Harrison Ngau, the representative of Sahabat Alam Malaysia in Sarawak, in recognition of the struggle of the Penan community to save the forest.

He described how people who live close to nature have been harassed, intimidated and killed for centuries. This is done in the name of development and modernization, and wasteful lifestyle. The result is the current ecological crisis, and adds to human alienation If meaningful work and the warmth of human relationships are lacking, then however rich it may be, society disintegrates and individuals become alienated. He then went on to say that the solution is simple. A wise man once said, “Live simply – so that others may simply live”. And this simple solution is the answer. It is the ultimate message.

This is a small book, easy to read but with a profound message. For people who have read the numerous analytical books and articles written by Martin Khor, they will find this book unique and eye opening. For many of us who had known Martin personally, the main message in book is the very foundation of why he spent so much his time trying to influence the outcome of international meetings, and to advocate local environmental solutions at the global level. His ultimate goal was to strive for global fairness and justice, leading to happiness.

I write this book review as a tribute to Martin Khor, who I had known since 1986. I met him for the first time in his hometown Penang, Malaysia, a place that he loved. I learnt many topics about global issues from him, that had somewhat influenced my choices in life. Although his physical body is no longer visible, Martin left many memories and wisdom. There are too many people whom he had touched, befriended, influenced, taught and supported. And it is just great that he also left this very valuable legacy for his granddaughter, Isabel.

A great person does not die. He just moves on to another dimension.

Note: This book can be bought at https://consumer.org.my/shop-english/.

In Bali, a limited supply is available. Please contact me at [email protected].