Berani dalam Benar: Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai - Designing the Future in saving, empowering and connecting lives

This is the time when Osaka is at its “hottest”, both literally and metaphorically! The former is related to the weather that seems to be hotter than Malaysia. Unlike home, a lot more people are seen to carry umbrellas (parasols) when they are out in the open. Back home umbrellas are more for protection from the rain. The sunshine, generally, seems bearable, as a way of life. Among the younger generation, the fashionable hand-held USB-type of fans seem to be preferred. 

Add to this the raging climate crisis which makes sustainability an urgent issue at hand. On this point, the metaphorical aspect comes into the picture. It is about being aware and taking action globally in unison. The best opportunity for is the Expo 2025 hosted by Osaka, Kansai which opened from April 13, until 13 October!  

With the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” - three key sub-themes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives are identified to be addressed on a global-scale and foster dialogue for a better future. Exhibitions on various activities carried out in their home communities are shared in purpose-built pavilions. Among the impressive ones is Malaysia's, designed out of bamboo - a notable symbol of sustainability as an integral part of nature. Not only is it easy to grow in abundance, it is also individually flexible and durable.  

Capable of growing to greater heights, it can still readily bend in the all directions blown by the wind, without breaking or being uprooted. This leaves an important lesson of "humility" - no matter how tall it stands above others! Malaysia adopting it as the "Tree of Tomorrow" provides reminders for the future by enhancing the wisdom of sustainability where indigenous knowlegde and practices in deep-rooted role based on expert craftsmanship and harmonious spirit. Complementing the tree are weavings of leaves and rattan to represent the ocean and coastal beautify (in blue), lush mountains and landscapes (in green), as well as diverse culture and food (in red), all branching out of the Tree of Tomorrow. 

It epitomises sustainability of the future that Malaysia condensed in an acronym: SCRIPT - sustainability, caring and compassionate, respect, innovation, prosperity and trust. 

That said, pavilion provides places widely demonstrative projects in the country, progressing since its independence in 1957. Captured are the many facets of a "Truly Asia" coloured by multi-ethnic, cultural as well as beliefs that span the Malay Peninsula and the Borneo Island. In so doing, the challenge of a (un)sustainable development was raised - notably the ecological, socio-economic as well as resource-based imbalances and erosions that have been the major cause for concern. Recognising that education and health, especially socio-mental well-being, took a heavy toll during Covid-19 pandemic largely due the unpreparedness in meeting the disruptive future. In all, however, the show-casing was impactful, although three major setbacks seem apparent and could "weaken" the entire effort. Firstly, the acronym and the rendering that are not well aligned with that announced by the Prime Minister in January 19, 2023. Clearly, the second element is not "caring and compassionate" but "prosperity." Instead the former was swapped with the last element  replacing "trust" - unlike in the original! And "innovation" comes before, not after "respect", creating future confusion! In other words, the acronym has morphed from SCRIPT to SPIRTC (as per January 19, 2023). Meaning to imply that there is a stark confusion and disarray with a lack of clarity as indicated by the inconsistency of the deeper understanding of the loosely used slogan. 

Secondly, while the “Truly Asia” image is well “publicised” as part of the unique identity of Malaysia as depicted throughout the many impressive exhibits and replicas, the letdown came when the performers and artistes participating are not diverse enough to live up to the supposed image. It is not that the performance is not up to mark; it is the composition that falls short. Something that should not have been overlooked, though there is still to rectify in to deliver the “real message” as it were.  

Lastly, given the sub themes of Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives, it is imperative that the segments pertaining to education and health are included to complete the picture towards sustainable education and health. Especially, learning from the pandemic, where these two sectors are among the worst hit. They are virtually key in designing a future society as clearly mentioned in the Expo theme. Unfortunately, relative to the rest, education and health are hardly noticeable in the presentation to connect all the dots for future-proof outcome, in particular in the context of Sustainable Education and Health in Agenda 2030.

In conclusion, the Expo 2025 is a valuable window to the world that Malaysia has done well with exception of the setbacks highlighted above. To the host city of Osaka, Kansai, a big thank you for the opportunity as well as congratulations for a work well done in securing a better and peaceful future! 

          It always seems impossible until it is done         

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)