Not Just Another Pretty Face: One Merdeka moment

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

One Merdeka moment

As a purely born and bred Malaysian citizen who highly values her personal independence, it occured to me just how little thought I've placed on the significance of my country's independence. How rarely I think of how lucky I am to be Malaysian.

So on this 48th Hari Merdeka, I've decided to spend a moment in time thinking of what Independence Day means to me other than the foregone public holiday.

My first memory of Merdeka was when I was in primary school. I remember mornings spent at home watching the Merdeka parade on TV, politicians decked in batik shirts and caps sitting on a platform in front of the famous Kuala Lumpur ~~train station~~ high court with the Moorish architecture. Also, mini 8 year old me waving a mini Jalur Gemilang (the kind with colourful sweets in the flag's pole) by the roadside as part of an Independence Day parade in Ipoh.

Jalur Gemilang, Malaysia's "Stripes of Glory"

I remember Agong speeches, Dr. Mahathir's speeches, Merdeka Eve countdowns, firework displays and touchingly patriotic Petronas ads on TV.

Sejarah lessons in school and later on Malaysian Studies during Uni days implanted invaluable nuggets of information and pride in me about my country.

For me, independence means freedom with responsiblity. Freedom of people to choose leaders of their country, freedom to make laws, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of the mass media.

I have to admit though, that our country's system is not without its flaws. Inevitable corruption, biased restrictions, favouritism and nepotism are issues that taint the local bureaucracy. But there are few, if any countries that are truly free from them.

The government system is one that I love to hate. It is imperfect but it has also moulded what has become the very essence of Malaysians. Tolerance, the ability to live harmoniously, to give and take and to be resilient despite injustice.

What has Malaysia achieved since 1957?

Personally, I am proudest of 'The Malaysian Identity'. The average Malaysian speaks at least 3 languages- Malay, English and a mother tongue. We are familiar and have at least some measure of respect for culture of other races. We are aware of cultures and food of other countries (especially Western) and are surprised at how ignorant they are of ours. We love food and expect it to be readily and cheaply available around the clock even on big public holidays eg, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali. We've become so accustomed to subtitles in movie theaters and on TV that we miss reading them depite fully comprehending the language.

Language, food and culture, all inherited from our forefathers who were migrants from distant lands have all amalgamated to form the Malaysian Identity. A colourful, dynamic heritage that all Malaysians should be PROUD of. In this sense, Chinese, Malays, Indians, united under our national identity we are all the same.

Happy Birthday Malaysia...

and Happy Merdeka to all Malaysians!