So what is dampening our Merdeka celebration spirit? Are we a nation who chooses to forget history? Have we become a nation who chooses to ignore about the struggles and sacrifices of our forefathers? Have we become individualistic and more concerned with bread and butter issues over national issues? Or is it simply because the path in which we have taken to progress as a nation since independence, fighting along the lines of communal politics and racial supremacy has run its course and distorted true unity and integration among Malaysians of all ethnics and race? Have we missed the chance to create a true Bangsa Malaysia that is color blind? I shudder to think of it.

A Malaysian’s Dream
by Iqbal Abd Ghaffar

Malaysia just turned 51 on Aug 31st. While the age is debatable (as Malaysia was only born when Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore was included in the Federal Territory in 1963), the spirit in which Merdeka should be celebrated has been quintessentially diminishing over the years.

The last time I had felt most patriotic and felt proud to celebrate Merdeka was in 1997. I still remember the sights of thousands of cars flying their mini Jalur Gemilang stuck to their windshields. Some went further by sticking the flags of every state on their windshield and the rear window. Convoys of motorcycles and cars have always filled the papers with news. Cars, motorcycles, trucks, vans and lorries all were proudly flying the Malaysian flag. Homes, shop houses, and buildings were not spared either. It was a beautiful sight to see so many Malaysians proud to celebrate the nation’s 40th Anniversary. This was in spite of the financial turmoil the country was facing.

Today, I don’t see that. Seeing someone fly the Jalur Gemilang on their vehicle is as rare as finding a diamond on the road these days. I too am guilty of not flying one. I can’t easily find it in stores anywhere. Gas stations always are out of stock!

So what is dampening our Merdeka celebration spirit? Are we a nation who chooses to forget history? Have we become a nation who chooses to ignore about the struggles and sacrifices of our forefathers? Have we become individualistic and more concerned with bread and butter issues over national issues? Or is it simply because the path in which we have taken to progress as a nation since independence, fighting along the lines of communal politics and racial supremacy has run its course and distorted true unity and integration among Malaysians of all ethnics and race? Have we missed the chance to create a true Bangsa Malaysia that is color blind? I shudder to think of it.

If we are to continue the course in which we are taking today, unity and harmony is a word that won’t be a part of the Malaysian’s vocabulary. What we have today, I believe, is not racial harmony but racial tolerance. We have been able to tolerate one another without trying to incite hate and bring about an upheaval. But what we really need to do is to not only learn to tolerate one another but also learn to understand, respect, and integrate.

I’m a staunch believer that the building blocks of a single Malaysian race begins at school. Children are color blind and hence, the vernacular schools should stop to exist. Instead, a single language school system where Tamil, Mandarin and English should be taught as mandatory subject for all students regardless of race. Languages belonging to smaller ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak can be taught as an elective. The subject of Malaysian culture should be introduced so that children can learn to understand the customs and practices the many ethnic and racial groups in the country. This would make the future Malaysians competitive as they are multilingual.

Parents, teachers, politicians, business people, and community leaders all play a role in creating a conducive environment for a new Malaysian culture to blossom. They must at all times not allow racial remarks be made against one another and not allow such things to be shared with children. Parents at all times must lead the way to allow children to play and interact with one another.

I have heard of many stories from Uncle Rama, Uncle Teo, Auntie Chew, Tok Man and Mak Timah of how they had many friends not from their own race, of how they grew up together, stealing rambutans and manggosteen from Haji Lebai’s orchard and bathing in the river together. They did not recognize color, but they were drawn together as Malaysians. Sadly muhibbah groups of friends are hard to come by these days. We have veered so far away from what has worked in the old days.

I believe that it is still not too late for Malaysians to charter a new course to a brighter future. A future where all Malaysians are not recognized by their skin color, dialect, and race. I will continue to fight and stand for what I believe is right and continue to dream what I believe in.

I dream of a Malaysia that stands truly united behind one common goal and destiny.
I dream of a Malaysia where her strength lies in her diversity of her people.
I dream of a Malaysia where all her people prosper and shares the wealth of this blessed land fairly.
I dream of a Malaysia where her people is not discriminated against one another.
I dream of a better Malaysia for all.

Happy Merdeka Malaysia!

IAG