What Merdeka truly means to me?

scan_24_4_06_-_012You do know; I’ve not been updating my blog very frequently – especially in my routine Nonsense Friday. So, I decided to update it by being patriotic today on Nonsense Friday. Malaysia’s Independence Day was just over a couple of days back. And somehow or rather, ironically,  I realize that there is a surge of videos on Youtube being passed on and shared via Facebook or Youtube on racial segregation, issues and conflicts in Malaysia. It is simply ironic that an event such as Merdeka; which was suppose to unite us all Malaysians has made as segregated and segmented. Does this occurs only during Merdeka? Nevertheless, for those who have been following my tweet, does know that I wrote this phrase quite sometime ago after seeing the National Day Celebration of Singapore:

Independence Day in other countries is a Public Affair, Independence Day in Malaysia is a Government Affair

As I was following tweets on the celebration in Singapore, I realise most (if not, all) was attending and following the parade and the celebration. And I start to wonder, why don’t Malaysians do the same? I realise one of Malaysians habit is that we tend to speak against what we dislike, yet not acting towards it. It’s more like, we are unhappy (and so what?), and we speak about issues that affects us as Malaysians (and we don’t bother doing anything about it!) After 53 years of Independence, I realise our mentality towards our country has not changed much. It’d always be about how much others MADE the mistake, instead of how much we CAN do something about it. Malaysia stands unique as Malaysia. We should be proud to be a part of Malaysia as we are free from natural disasters; looking at the brighter side, perhaps, we have more to be thankful for? Don’t we? Or at least, our Facebook, Google and some other technologies aren’t banned? Malaysia. She does has her beauty too, isn’t it?It has her own beauty too. I know she has her flaws. To you, maybe flawssssssssssssssss (endless). But hey, come on? Who doesn’t have flaws? Tell me if you don’t. I’d be glad to be-friend you. But should we still keep the mentality that people had 53 years ago or perhaps the mentality of May 13? Merdeka may really mean Public Holidays to me; I mean seriously. But I choose to know, learn and respect that despite the flaws of Malaysia, i do heart Malaysia. It’s a home in my heart. Now ask yourself, is it a home in your heart? Love for a country is a CHOICE; imagine if the Malaysians love Malaysia just as much – things will and can change! Why can’t we show true Malaysian Colours during this time of celebration instead of those racial segregation videos? In spite of our differences, we are all still Malaysians. Who really cares what colour skins you have? Because we all are the same in our own way and culture. Merdeka is all about us and her (Malaysia). And that’s about it. It’s time to build and change Malaysia for the better. Running far away does not solve any of those issues. Talking bad about it does not solve any of those issues either. I heard someone saying this:

I’ll choose not to talk bad about it if I, myself can’t find a solution to make it better.

We all have our part to play. Merdeka truly means freedom in life, love, race, religion. Let’s live above it as Malaysians and really be a country that shines like none other. Despite it all, I AM PROUD TO BE A MALAYSIAN. She may not be the best, but I’ll give it my best. Leaving you with my favourite quote:

Our children are colour blind, let’s leave it that way.

*Ignore my phrasing and paragraphing. I just woke up from my bed typing this but I really mean it. HAPPY MERDEKA!

Live like You’re free. Please.

7 Comments

  1. Reply
    Danial Ikhwan Jaafar September 3, 2010

    hey there, been looking forward to ur new post really. it's good that i've come across more and more malaysian youths who care and decided that complaining, doing nothing won't change a thing. if we want changes to be made in our very own country, we should start acting. not start talking only.
    anyway, though it's 3rd september already, what the heck –

    Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan

    =)

  2. Reply
    EmPeRor SalAdIna September 3, 2010

    Ah. Good one.

  3. Reply
    alvinkok September 3, 2010

    Danial: Glad you enjoyed reading it. It's great to see youths rising up in our very own nations too. :) Share my thoughts with your friends. Hope to hear more!

    Zhai Gen: Thanks 😉

  4. Reply
    thomas September 3, 2010

    A very patriotic merdeka write up.

  5. Reply
    sweetham October 1, 2010

    hope I cold visit Malaysia in the future :)

  6. Reply
    sweetham October 1, 2010

    hope I cold visit Malaysia in the future :)

  7. Reply
    alvinkok October 1, 2010

    sure, come to malaysia! :) good place! :)

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