NATIONAL Day is a time for Malaysians from all walks of life to take a break and enjoy its festivities and traditions, but it should also be a time to ponder the original intent of the holiday. Aug 31, 1957 marked the day that the Federation of Malaya gained its independence from British colonisation. Historical records show that the handover of power from Britain took place at midnight. As the new flag of independence was raised, strong shouts of “Merdeka” — repeated seven times — echoed throughout Dataran Merdeka. This gesture was initiated by Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, who had led the negotiations with the British for handover of power, and was rightly hailed as the Father of Independence. The Federation of Malaya as an independent nation become a reality, but the new nation had to brace itself for hard times ahead. There was uncertainty about what the future would bring. However, visionary leaders of the fledgling nation came together and worked to provide direction and purpose. They provided constancy amid chaos and uncertainty. And the nation emerged.
That brief lesson in history should help Malaysians — regardless of ethnicity — to reflect on the meaning of independence and to remember those who led the struggle for independence. It is easy for us, particularly the younger generation, to take Malaysia’s many achievements and sustained growth for granted and to view the nation’s excellent standing in the international community as a given. How did we get here? Every Malaysian, especially the young, should ask themselves this question. This exercise in soul-searching is necessary to appreciate what we have and to find our motives for doing what is best for Malaysia.
If we accept the premise that a divided house cannot stand, we know what we should do: stay united. And, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has reminded us of the “moments of unity” that have brought us closer. Malaysia’s achievement at the Rio Olympic Games last month is the most recent example. The current crop of sports heroes inspires feelings of affection and loyalty, and such emotions are to be valued, not carelessly disregarded. Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s performance in the badminton men’s singles finals was indeed a moment of unity for Malaysians. Food is another unifying force. It is a link we not only feel but taste as well. It is tough to define Malaysian food because it is not one particular type of dish but intertwined with many different ethnicities and cultures. The culinary diversity originates from Malaysia’s culturally varied population of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, Nyonya and the indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Consider the popularity of nasi lemak and nasi kandar. Both dishes are enjoyed across all sections of society and they awaken feelings of solidarity among Malaysians.
To be sure, we have a list of things we cannot agree on, but that is to be expected in a multiethnic and multicultural society, where differences of opinion are bound to occur. Still, the moments of unity discussed earlier offer hope for a brighter and better future. We need to create more of such moments to counter threats from within and without, which seem hell-bent on breaking us apart.