We seem to live in a different Malaysia nowadays. So different, that our minds often fall distant from the fact that we came from such humble roots.
Tun may have penned the epic line "Melayu mudah lupa..", but how long until someone else coins Malaysians mudah lupa..?
Caucasians living under the liberty of their own governance over freedom - have little to be proud of compared to Asians who had to fight for everything we own today, although this may blatantly appear a biased opinion. Be it the tall buildings we bring up, the cars we drive in, the roofs we're under, and even the air we breathe. Such easy and simple pleasures as these, had came through enormous efforts; blood, tears and sweat borne by our forefathers, a penance for the right to be masters of our own fore-land. The pages of history books pens down their journey from thought to action, leading on to grit and spirit. We owe everything we have today, as much to them as to God Himself.
Lest there are people who forget this fact - every year we are reminded as to how it all started. From the British occupation, to the rise of the Japanese, to the grip of communists. From Persekutuan Tanah Melayu to Malaya, and to what we now all dearly regard as Malaysia. We have tread a long and arduous path, but as Tun had always reminded us; "...alas our fates are not set in stone; keeping our independence is yet a longer journey in itself."
Like every other year, I'm glad I still have the opportunity to wish this blessed land many happy returns. The question is, would we be able to retain such conditions and give our children the right to do so in the future?
Nationality isn't given based on the words our native tongues mutter, yet today we always manage to find fault in the simplest of situations. We forget that once we were racial-blind, conformed to only one identity, one target, one objective - under the realization that there were just so many of us, but only one country to share. In a perfect world a citizen is not judged based on the shape of our eyes and the skin that covers our body. In a perfect Malaysia, we are united under one flag, one racial identity. For each and everyone of us sought solace, under this one blessed land. We may be many, but our hearts are one.
This is our land, our country, our own. This, is our Malaysia.
Happy Birthday Malaysia - here's wishing you another prosperous and glorious year ahead. May we live to see many more, and for us to always be able to call you home.
-JeP
Tun may have penned the epic line "Melayu mudah lupa..", but how long until someone else coins Malaysians mudah lupa..?
Caucasians living under the liberty of their own governance over freedom - have little to be proud of compared to Asians who had to fight for everything we own today, although this may blatantly appear a biased opinion. Be it the tall buildings we bring up, the cars we drive in, the roofs we're under, and even the air we breathe. Such easy and simple pleasures as these, had came through enormous efforts; blood, tears and sweat borne by our forefathers, a penance for the right to be masters of our own fore-land. The pages of history books pens down their journey from thought to action, leading on to grit and spirit. We owe everything we have today, as much to them as to God Himself.
Lest there are people who forget this fact - every year we are reminded as to how it all started. From the British occupation, to the rise of the Japanese, to the grip of communists. From Persekutuan Tanah Melayu to Malaya, and to what we now all dearly regard as Malaysia. We have tread a long and arduous path, but as Tun had always reminded us; "...alas our fates are not set in stone; keeping our independence is yet a longer journey in itself."
Like every other year, I'm glad I still have the opportunity to wish this blessed land many happy returns. The question is, would we be able to retain such conditions and give our children the right to do so in the future?
Nationality isn't given based on the words our native tongues mutter, yet today we always manage to find fault in the simplest of situations. We forget that once we were racial-blind, conformed to only one identity, one target, one objective - under the realization that there were just so many of us, but only one country to share. In a perfect world a citizen is not judged based on the shape of our eyes and the skin that covers our body. In a perfect Malaysia, we are united under one flag, one racial identity. For each and everyone of us sought solace, under this one blessed land. We may be many, but our hearts are one.
This is our land, our country, our own. This, is our Malaysia.Happy Birthday Malaysia - here's wishing you another prosperous and glorious year ahead. May we live to see many more, and for us to always be able to call you home.
Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan ke-52.
-JeP
2 comments:
Merdeka!!! I've cried every single time I watched 1957: Hati Malaya. Just wish it aired to the public & schools. Here's one for you Jep. Merdeka! ;)
Yup, that's such a powerful and moving movie. I personally think of it as the best rendition anyone has tried to make from Malaysia's history. Sure it has a fair share of cliche's and witty anecdotes but as a whole and out of fairness, I enjoyed every bit of it.
These are the sort of stories we should tell and share with our younger generations.
Thanks for the wish Wa, here's wishing you the same. Merdeka!
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