What do you feel when the police jumps in super swift action for wearing black, holding up a candle to state you stand on the principles of freedom and human rights while the police stand by entertained by a group of people hurling insults, holding up a cow's head inciting racial tensions and threatening bloodshed over the building of a Hindu temple in a majority Islamic community?
How do you feel when you see legitimately elected state governments being forced out of power - disregarding (almost every) the rule of law? What went through our minds as we see the Speaker of the Perak Assembly being dragged out by a group people reported to be the police like bouncers throwing out unruly customers from a night-joint?
What was the feeling when the saw the Hindraf protests, BERSIH rally and the latest anti-ISA movement quelled by the might of the police, while we see crime rate continues to rise and the often lament they there are not enough resources?
What goes through our minds as we see the continuous decline of the standard of English language and the apparent flip-flopping of education policies driven by political motivation? What do business people here feel as we continue to experience economic decline with no clear strategy moving forward? What about Beng Hock and the hundreds who have died in custody? The list goes on from death relation to H1N1 to road congestions.....
The feeling is of ANGER, FRUSTRATION and a sense of HOPELESSNESS to a certain extent. I bet there are more people thinking of migration now than before. Perhaps that's why migration services continues to be advertised on the front pages of Malaysiakini!
So, what does this all mean for Merdeka (Independence) Celebration on August 31st?
As a nation going beyond 50 years, we need to go beyond anger and frustration. Malaysians of all races needs to respond not react to situation. We need to be level-headed, calm and to respect one another - as this is the place we call our home. Let this Merdeka be a great start to the appreciation of one another and to acknowledge that we all had a role to play in building this nation of ours - no matter how small orbig a role.
Merdeka is also a reminder that we, Malaysians, must transcend beyond politics, political, parties and individuals. Merdeka is a reminder that we can make changes because we are empowered to. It is not just about wearing black, holding candlelight vigil and voice dissatisfaction. It also not mere parades and slogan designs. Merdeka should a celebration of the opportunities.
We must find a way and to go beyond the negativity and look forward to the future - forward to an opportunity for change.
Merdeka is about the celebration of hope. The hope for a better future for our country still exists.
Happy Merdeka everyone!
(2009)
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