Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka………and the resounding rapturous echoes from the packed Merdeka Stadium during that historic moment 52 years ago again keep on being replayed in the comfort of our living room. But do we really understand and appreciate the history behind it? Or are we now totally detached from our own history that we felt our right to write our own version of history according to our own interpretations based on our shallow appreciation of events that led to that momentous event now termed “Merdeka”. Are we a nation capable of coming up with merely empty rhetoric or slogans to denotes the occasion?
As Malaysians, we should always be proud of who we are and what we have achieved thus far. Though considered a small and young nation, we could still stand tall among the comity of nations. We have been cited by the international community as a nation that have developed and thrives through tolerance and co-existence the basic premise of our independence. Our slogan of being a multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural society is now being put to the test and questioned not by the international community but by our own citizens. Where have we failed??
As Malaysians, we should always be proud of who we are and what we have achieved thus far. Though considered a small and young nation, we could still stand tall among the comity of nations. We have been cited by the international community as a nation that have developed and thrives through tolerance and co-existence the basic premise of our independence. Our slogan of being a multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural society is now being put to the test and questioned not by the international community but by our own citizens. Where have we failed??
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It is thus timely for us to really ponder about what is happening in Malaysia and where are we going from here? All of us as individuals have rights but individual or community rights should never takes priority over the nation’s right. Without the nation we are nothing! You are firstly recognized internationally for the nation that you belong to. Do not drag Malaysia down the roads of many other great but fallen countries just to accord the rights of individuals or community.
Let us take stock of our 52 years of independence in relations to our history to continue preserving the concept of identity, society, balance and through this we remember who we are and where we come from (quoted from the words of Datuk Dr. Sharom Ahmat during his acceptance address as a recipient of a honorary doctorate in philosophy at the last Universiti Sains Malaysia Convocation).
Let us all together conscientiously work towards Vision 2020 for all Malaysians. Without continued unity and stability, we would not achieve development and greatness that we as loving citizens aspires Malaysia to be. As responsible citizens, we have a duty to work as hard as we can and make whatever sacrifice we must in order to make Malaysia as good as we can make it for the benefit of our future generations. Let us not be remembered and cursed by them for not taking the opportunities to make Malaysia great.
Selamat Hari Merdeka.
