Yau Sook Ching, 35
Restauranteur,
Sri Kembangan, Selangor
When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher because when you are young, you think that a teacher is all-powerful and knew everything.
My parents, and also my parents-in-law are my heroes. Both sets of parents are very friendly, happy and easy-going. My parents taught me to be a very happy person, and I love them very much.
I just hope everybody in my family is healthy and happy always. Business expansion is not really my dream. We run a family restaurant, which means we do everything ourselves.
I don't really want to be really rich. Health is very important.
Kamaludin A.M.-Haja-Mohaideen, 34
Civil Servant
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
I wanted to be a cop. I used to watch Hindustan movies where they showed the cops as good guys. I did go for an interview with the police, but I failed my physical. Now, I want my kid to be a cop. He's one-and-a-half years old.
Tun Mahathir Mohamad is my hero because he made the world look at Malaysia. I lived in Labu, near Sepang, when I was a kid. Sepang used to be a forest, but he turned it into Formula One race track. I even met Michael Schumacher.
For myself, I want to be a good citizen. There's too much racism now in Malaysia. I am friends with all races. There are good people and bad people across races.
Som Theap Chun, 33
Buddhist monk in Wat Pikulthong,
Pasir Puteh, Kelantan
I've always wanted to drive big trucks, big tractors. I was fascinated with them when I was a kid, seeing them working, digging up up earth. I tried applying to be a tractor operator when I finished school, but I did not make the cut. I was too skinny.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is my hero because he was the one who developed Malaysia to be what it is now. Under him, they did all the big projects that made us proud: Petronas Twin Towers, the Sepang circuit, and many more.
I don't want any "huru-hara" (chaos). Now we see so many people who are against the government, it might get chaotic. If possible, I want us to unite, together across all races. If we are united, we can do anything and we will succeed in it.
Muhamad Khairul Nizam Abdul Salam, 32
TV Producer
Besut, Terengganu
I wanted to be a postman because I loved riding motorcycles. But now I am a television producer.
The late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari is my hero as Malaysian football was respected by other Asian nations during the 70s and early 80s. He also showed good leadership and skills, attributes that are sorely lacking among our current breed of footballers.
As a TV producer, I have the oppurtunity to promote Besut to be well-known to foreign and local tourists. Although everyone knows Perhentian is part of Besut, there are plenty of other interesting places that ought to be highlighted.
Mastura Ahmad, 31
Ticketer for a ferry operator
Rompin, Pahang
I wanted to be an air stewardess because when I saw the uniform, it looked very glamorous and the fact that I could board planes and travel the world appealed to me.
My hero is actor Rosham Noor because he is good at acting. Any character that he plays comes alive; he can make me cry and laugh just by watching him.
My dream is to be rich because everybody wants an easy life, and have lots of money. Hopefully one day it will come true, I don’t want to live a hard life.
Luciano Joey Jinius, 30
Junior Sous Chef
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
I've always wanted to be a chef. I actually wanted to study culinary arts straight out of secondary school, but because I was in the science stream, I didn't qualify.
So I dropped university and took up a vocational course, got a job at Sutera Harbour Resort and was given a scholarship to finally study what I wanted.
I look up to my sous chef, Chef Aidil. I worked as a private chef for five years on yachts travelling to more than 40 countries, but I decided to come back because I wanted to learn.
A lot of times guests asked me to cook something Malaysian, but even my curries were a failure. So I'm back to learn from Chef Aidil.
I just hope that I can continue to get better at what I do. Also, it would be really nice if there were better and more job opportunities.
Casserinnie Helnina Johen, 29
Wet Market Trader
Bau, Sarawak
When I was young, my ambition was always to be a teacher. It is a very important role... without teachers, I would not have learned how to read, to speak.
My current hero is our prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. He has paid a lot of attention to even us in the rural areas, he has given us many benefits, helped develop our nation.
But my all-time hero has to be Tun Mahathir Mohamad. I think for many of us my age, Mahathir has always been a role model... we grew up with him. He changed the landscape of Malaysia.
My dream is to one day own my own house and run my own business. As I am not yet married, I also dream of marrying a good man and creating a happy family of my own.
Chun Kiao Ping, 28
Marketing Executive
Simpang Empat, Perlis
I wanted to be a teacher. I love kids. I was hoping to be a student counsellor.
My father, Chun Kee Min, is my hero. I grew up in poverty. My dad, now aged 61, used to work in the construction industry and was the sole breadwinner in the family.
Looking back, I admire my dad for working hard and not giving up to ensure we received a decent education.
Throughout the last few years, I have been working really hard to help ease my family's burden. I hope to have sufficient retirement savings to travel and see other parts of the world.
There is a saying that life without travel is like reading a book without turning a page. I hope to experience a colourful journey around the world by the age of 55.
Clictus Teh Tatt Boon, 27
Tuition Teacher
George Town, Penang
When I was a child, I just wanted to be rich. A businessman or a scientist, all I really wished was to be rich to improve my then living conditions which was quite poor.
My hero would be Datuk Onn Jaafar. After studying and teaching Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah for so many years, I have come to realise that it really takes much courage and faith to unite people from all walks of life.
Datuk Onn started by uniting the Malays through the United Malays National Organisation. The next challenge was to unite the rest of Malaya, which he tried in his attempt to rename UMNO as the United Malayans National Organisation.
I would like to unite the people of Malaysia through education. I have a message for all that despite the differences, we are all one people.
Daniel Khong Chee Weng, 26
On the editorial team at Groupon Malaysia
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
I always had the liking for science and mathematics. My ambition when I was 1.5 metres tall was to be a pilot or bio-technologist (whatever that meant). Now that I'm older and taller, I realise that my forte' is in the humanities and arts.
I have always admired my mathematics teacher from Standard 5 & 6, Miss Oh. She was more of an educator than a teacher. Classes aside, she taught us the values of being a good citizen.
My dream is to have a good life in a country in which both the citizens and governing bodies support each other, not one preying over another.
Chan Loy Yu, 25
Engineer
Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan
I wanted to be a scientist. When I was young, I just wanted to build toys, play with Lego and robots.
Lee Chong Wei is my hero. When he's playing, every Malaysian supports him, regardless of race and age. I play badminton too.
My dream is to own a house. A big house. A bungalow with a sea view.
Noridarabiaton Ali Akbar, 24
Pharmacist
Bukit Baru, Malacca
I really thought that I would become a businesswoman because my family has a business of managing projects. I wanted to have my own company.
Tun Mahathir Mohamad is my hero. He contributed a lot of development which we can clearly see like the Penang Bridge. If it's not because of the Penang Bridge, my family would not have been able to visit me in Penang when I studied there.
I want Malaysia to be more developed in the future and hopefully there would be no more chaos.
Siti Nurhidaryu Azmi, 23
Teacher
Kota Baru, Kelantan
I wanted to join the police. Actually I wanted to be an inspector. I don't know why. They looked so cool and orderly, with their blue uniforms.
Tok Guru is my hero. He is really a humble man, not like other leaders. He is really respected and a hero to most of us in Kelantan.
I want the youngsters these days to really learn, and know the meaning of merdeka. They learn about it in school, but in terms of thinking, their scope is still very limited. That's why I wanted to be a teacher, I hope I can inspire and guide the young to learn more.
Muhamad Adiq Husainie Othman, 22
National cyclist
Kemaman, Terengganu
I have always wanted to be a professional cyclist since I was a kid. I'm glad that I now represent the country in the sport I love.
My mother is my hero because she had to work hard to feed me and my sibling. She also encouraged me to be a cyclist.
I want to be a succesful cyclist. In a meantime, I am proud to don the national colours while competing in races.
Tan How Yee, 21
Student
Kuantan, Pahang
I wanted to be a nurse or a doctor because of movies. It looked like a lot of fun, can save people and use medical equipment.
I admire P. Ramlee because he can sing and act. I like the entertainment industry and he is a master in it.
My dream is to set up a successful function because I like to organise events and it will make me feel very successful if I can set an example to others.
Mohd Izzuan Alias, 20
Policeman
IPK Johor Baru
My ambition since young is to be a member of the uniformed bodies because I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father, a retired army veteran.
I am interested in uniformed bodies because there are many things that can be learnt -- physically and mentally.
My hero is my father because I loved seeing him in uniform and he is tegas (firm) and responsible. He raised his children well.
I want to be a hero to my friends and family. And my mission is to help my family and contribute to society and the country.
Flora Khong, 19
Sales Assistant
Tuaran, Sabah
I wanted to be a doctor at first, but my SPM results didn't really turn out very well. So I've since set my sights on becoming a nurse.
I don't really have a hero, but I'm always encouraged when I look at clinics and see the doctors and nurses helping people get better. That reminds me of my dream every time.
I've applied wherever I could to get into nursing school, so I'm waiting to get a letter from anyone to get started. I really hope I can get in soon.
Andy Lim Hock Soon, 18
Student
Batu Kawah, Kuching, Sarawak
When I was younger, I just wanted to make a lot of money. I am now interested in chemical engineering.
My heroes are my parents and my teacher. My parents work so hard. And my teacher.. her passion was what made me interested in science. Before her, I had no ambition and I was lazy.
My mother is a barber, my father is a businessman. He always used to tell me -- nothing in this world is free. You have to work hard for it. Today, I believe him and I am living his words.
My dream... I think of this many times before I go to sleep. My father asked me this very question before. What I dream of is to have a meaningful life. It must be interesting, I want to do what I want, be what I want and have the freedom to change the country the best that I can.
Most importantly, I want peace... not to achieve richness in terms of money, but to be rich in terms of family. To me, family is more important than money.
