By Ahmad Abd Hamid
As August and September come by, these months hold significant importance in our national calendar. August 31 marks the 67th year of Malaya’s independence, followed by the 61st Malaysia Day celebrations on September 16.
Time flies. It has been 67 years since Malaya gained independence from colonial rule and stood on our own feet. Although there were doubts in the early stages of independence, we have proven over the years that we are more than capable of managing our own country.
Leaders, both past and present, have successfully contributed to making Malaysia a nation much admired by many, through numerous advancements and developments for the benefit of Malaysians. The presence of numerous foreign workers in our midst testifies to this fact.
Thanks to the vision of past leaders, especially our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and other leaders, Malaya’s independence on August 31, 1957, evolved into a larger union encompassing Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, formed on September 16, 1963. However, Singapore withdrew from this union on August 9, 1965, to chart its own path as an independent republic.
As we celebrate National Day and Malaysia Day, it is pertinent to show our gratitude for the peace and harmony that we enjoy in our multi-ethnic community. As Malaysians, we ought to demonstrate a greater sense of responsibility, pride and love for our homeland.
This is our country and we must always be vigilant against narrow-minded and irresponsible elements that seek to disrupt the great peace and harmony we have built up over the years, minus a blip or two a long time ago, especially the dark month of May 1969.
While not everyone can participate in the official Merdeka or Malaysia Day celebrations at the national, state, or district levels, we can still reaffirm our pride for the country by flying our national flag – the Jalur Gemilang.
Unfortunately, there are still some Malaysians who take the country’s independence for granted. If I may so say, they feel rather bashful about flying the national flag in their homes or offices!
Some do it half-heartedly. Some even hoist faded and tattered flags that have already lost their lustre.
Is it too much to ask to hoist a beautiful ‘Jalur Gemilang’ fluttering in the breeze as we remember these important dates of our nation’s history?
Is it that difficult to accord greater respect for our ‘Jalur Gemilang’?
We have to rid this feeling that we are flying the flag out of compulsion and not with beaming pride.
I believe it’s not out of place here to state here that our past leaders didn’t have it easy when negotiating for independence. Merdeka did not come on a silver platter.
Our past leaders had to be constantly vociferous in their thoughts since the late 1940s and early 1950s about being serious in attaining independence and to gather support from the masses. Subsequently they had to cajole and negotiate with the colonial masters to determine our own future.
So, compared to the struggles of our past leaders, what is it so difficult on our part to hoist our “Jalur Gemilang” with a great dose of patriotism?
I hope this National Day and Malaysia Day will bring a change for the better in our commitment towards our beloved country.
National Day or Malaysia Day is not just for government officials or political leaders to show themselves on tv; we as citizens too have a role to play here, whether big or small.
I will always pray for Malaysia’s continued progress and prosperity, right from Perlis to Johor and across to Sarawak and Sabah.
And may there be greater unity and understanding among our people as we continue to build our country towards a more dynamic Malaysia!