The Struggle, The Truth, The Independence.
"I don't celebrate Merdeka," said a friend,when I asked him what he'd be doing on the 31st.
"It's an affront to everything my grandfather fought for."
I sat there in silence. I can't help but agree with him. To have parties and god knows what else on the eve of Merdeka, is the worst thing a Malaysian could do. Getting pissed drunk, high or stoned on one of the most glorified days in Malaysian history is just plain disrespectful.
Our forefathers paid for our Independence with the blood of thousands, upon thousands of Patriots.
The younger generation, on the other hand, nonchalantly express their appreciation by forking out half their earnings at some dingy club, with some loud music over the background.
Probably a remix of Negaraku. Wankers.
Merdeka to me is not a celebration. It is a remembrance. A period of self reflection, of what Malaysia has become over the past 48 years, and the boundless opportunities given to our generation that our forefathers fought so hard for. How petty is our generation, that we complain about traffic jams.
Our forefathers died for this country.
"Tanah Airku, akan ku junjung ke akhir hayatku," said one poet.
Patriots all of them. They sweat, bled and cried for this nation.
We on the other hand, cry at cinemas, sweat at saunas and bleed on paper cuts.
Don't get me wrong. There are still patriots among us. And that is why we have remained Sovereign.
On Merdeka's eve we had dinner. We had root beers and Iced Lemon Teas, and we thanked god that we were given the opportunity to even have the freedom to choose where we could go, and what we could do.
At 12pm, fireworks lighted up the darkened KL skyline.
It was a rainbow of colours, the lights bouncing off each and every one of our faces, as we all gazed silently towards the sky.
No one said anything. Not even "MERDEKA,MERDEKA".
We all just sat there, silent, contemplative...and breathed a sigh of relief.
48 years and counting, and we're still free. And, god willing, we will continue to be just as free.
May our sovereignity remain.
For nothing is more important than Freedom.
"It's an affront to everything my grandfather fought for."
I sat there in silence. I can't help but agree with him. To have parties and god knows what else on the eve of Merdeka, is the worst thing a Malaysian could do. Getting pissed drunk, high or stoned on one of the most glorified days in Malaysian history is just plain disrespectful.
Our forefathers paid for our Independence with the blood of thousands, upon thousands of Patriots.
The younger generation, on the other hand, nonchalantly express their appreciation by forking out half their earnings at some dingy club, with some loud music over the background.
Probably a remix of Negaraku. Wankers.
Merdeka to me is not a celebration. It is a remembrance. A period of self reflection, of what Malaysia has become over the past 48 years, and the boundless opportunities given to our generation that our forefathers fought so hard for. How petty is our generation, that we complain about traffic jams.
Our forefathers died for this country.
"Tanah Airku, akan ku junjung ke akhir hayatku," said one poet.
Patriots all of them. They sweat, bled and cried for this nation.
We on the other hand, cry at cinemas, sweat at saunas and bleed on paper cuts.
Don't get me wrong. There are still patriots among us. And that is why we have remained Sovereign.
On Merdeka's eve we had dinner. We had root beers and Iced Lemon Teas, and we thanked god that we were given the opportunity to even have the freedom to choose where we could go, and what we could do.
At 12pm, fireworks lighted up the darkened KL skyline.
It was a rainbow of colours, the lights bouncing off each and every one of our faces, as we all gazed silently towards the sky.
No one said anything. Not even "MERDEKA,MERDEKA".
We all just sat there, silent, contemplative...and breathed a sigh of relief.
48 years and counting, and we're still free. And, god willing, we will continue to be just as free.
May our sovereignity remain.
For nothing is more important than Freedom.
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