Over the radio, I heard the announcement… “at the stroke of midnight, you should get out of your car, cause a traffic jam if you must, stand straight and sing the national anthem to prove your patriotism.”
Alas, that ‘dare’ holds no water anymore. At least to me. Patriotism is never about showing it in foolish actions once a year. It’s all about true respect, gratitude that spills over into our attitude in life, towards the government, rules & regulation and people. If I were to hold that as a simple yardstick, we Malaysians fail severely on so many accounts.
I used to be idealistic about Malaysia. Believing that it was a ‘fair’ country, with the best of all worlds… united in its people and blah blah blah, as it is thought and potrayed in the textbooks and media. But if you look hard at the true things that has occured in history and currently, you will see that Malaysia is seriously found wanting… on too many fronts.
This article, an opinion piece, written by a Malaysiankini reader presents ’some’ of the points, any rationale Malaysian would feel: Full article here.
I am now retired, managing my own business and it is understandable why we no longer feel the way we did:
As a citizen and a non-Malay, we have been branded with all sorts of names – �pendatang�, terrorists or extremists not unlike the al-Ma�unah group.
As a non-Muslim, I live in apprehension everyday because for some rhyme and reason best known to Umno, we have suddenly been declared an Islamic state even though our sacred Constitution states otherwise.
When we question the Islamic state declaration, we are told that if do not like it, we can get out. I am wondering what our East Malaysian brothers (Kadazans, Ibans, etc) have to say about this.
We have an Umno leader who has to go on a �keris� wielding spree during the recent Umno general assembly. Would it not have been appropriate if Umno leaders – on the first day of their meeting – release white doves as a symbol of peace and wish all Malaysians well?
We are not getting any more united than 10 years ago. Today the racial divide has gone from bad to worse and if that is not all, religious divide has also encroached into our way of life.
The prime minister will deliver his speech today, on the eve of Merdeka Day. All these years, I have noticed that the speech was never directed to all Malaysians. Our prime minister would use words such as �agama kita”, �bangsa kita�.
It is such a big let down knowing that I am not even considered a part of the Malaysian community on this auspicious day.
Solemn piece indeed. But one that is revealing and honest.
This is Malaysia folks.
My country…