Malaysians Say The Darndest Things!

Happy 31st August 2008

August 31, 2008

Selamat Hari Merdeka. Happy Independence Day. Selamat Hari Kebangsaan. However way you call it, most Malaysians make use of this off day to throng the shopping malls or spend time with their families.

To me, 31st August will be remembered as a day that we achieved independence from colonial Britain. But it is unfortunate that 51 years later, we haven’t achieved independence in many other areas.

Some of us have not achieved independence from politicking based on race, as the mere existence of UMNO, MCA and MIC after all this years shows that politics based on race is well and still truly alive.

Some of us have not achieved independence of thought and freedom of will, preferring to let others dictate to us what they think is right and wrong, even though we know otherwise. These moral guardians of society tell us that some movies are bad, some books are bad, most concerts are bad. Then the moral guardians of society tell us not to interfere in their religion and threaten violence otherwise, when it is clear that almost daily, their actions affect people of a different religion.

Some of us have not achieved independence from a culture of bodek, refusing to tell a person to his/her face what is wrong, while stabbing them from behind his/her back. It becomes worse when the person being bodek-ed doesn’t even realize it and assume everything is fine.

However, the worst thing is, even though we are an independent nation, the laws and methods used by our former colonial masters are still in current employ by the current government as a tool to keep the general populace in line. The ISA and the Sedition Act come to mind. As such, can we truly say we are free from the shackles of colonialism, if we are being ‘colonized’ by an elite group of politicians who are ready and willing to wield these colonial methods?

Well, but look at it this way, as our politicians are fond to point out, at least we’re not Myanmar. For that, I am thankful to god (or gods, whatever your religion may be).

Seriousness aside, I am current struggling with a numbers game. The media has pointed out that this is our 51st Merdeka. But is it really? Counting 1957 as our 1st Merdeka, shouldn’t 2008 be our 52nd Merdeka? Or are we actually celebrating just the 51st anniversary of our Merdeka? Anyway, just something to think about, as I proceed to enjoy my long weekend.

Selamat Menyambut Ulangtahun Kemerdekaan ke-51.

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