Merdeka

I am sad that Merdeka (Independence Day) this year is very flat. Don’t get me wrong, I am very proud to be a Malaysian and I love this country to bits. Unfortunately, I feel that lately the Merdeka celebration is turning into an occasion for the political parties to endorse themselves and their propaganda. I feel that in the light of the circumstance, this is the time to demonstrate to the people that after 50 years of independence we are able to celebrate this festive occasion together as a nation not as individual political parties. It’s really disgusting to watch on TV how the politician shouted “Merdeka” to their select party members only. What about the rest of the nation? Are we not Malaysian? Just because some of us are not a member of the ruling party does that mean we don’t deserve to celebrate?

Since I was not alive when our country gained its independence from colonization of the British, I can’t really appreciate the true meaning of independence like how my grandma is. So I think the challenge of my generation, is to make this nation the kind of nation our forefathers wanted it to be. And it seems to me that these private celebrations of Merdeka that exclude other races or parties are signs of our failure.

But I still have hope J this year we’re celebrating Merdeka differently. There is no community feeling by going to the crowded town to watch fireworks between drunks. I can’t feel my love for my country watching the ruling party on TV spewing their propaganda and shouting “Merdeka” and coughing in between. On a smaller scale, my village has decided to congregate together and make it our own event. We’re gonna hold a “sukaneka” there will be races for the kids, volley ball competition, softball games for the girls and for the moms, well they decided to perform a dance, for the village. The dads are carpenters, engineers and technicians that day. They’re responsible to make sure that everything goes smoothly. Amidst all this, my mom is the Queen Bee! Haha its gonna be fun. We’re gonna do this on the 9^th Sept. so if you happen to be near my village that day, do come and join us celebrate our Merdeka ;)