Selamat Hari Merdeka,
五十年风风雨雨
生日快乐，马来西亚.
August 31st. Another national celebration will be held in just a few weeks time. I could still remember how this “special” day for all Malaysian had been celebrated in the past few years. Almost all the local TV channels would broadcast the Independence Day’s celebration. You would see Malaysians from all races wearing colorful outfits with a mini Malaysian flag in the hands; waving it high and proud. An Indian boy or probably a Chinese would be paired up with a Malay kid to read out some pantuns and sajak in front of the crowd to show how important unity is to this multiracial country. Of course, long speeches from the King and the Prime Minister, perhaps the most boring part of the whole feast. Well, finally, a teen, or maybe a representative of the nation would stand up high on the stage, yelling out that magical word which means the “national independence” of this beloved country, for several times; packed with vision, confidence and spirits. “MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!” . You might hear the hordes repeating the iconic word after that person; everyone seems to be so energetic and in a state of ecstasy.
Yea, that is probably the only picture all the Malaysians have in mind about unity. Malays, Indians and Chinese doing things together, holding hands like a family, with an ultimate message to be delivered by the government to its people, “WE ARE NOW 50 YEAR OLD.” “50 Years of Independence” or probably, “Happy 50th Birthday, Malaysia!”. Even I myself have to admit that those PETRONAS ads are really touching, as if I was born in such a harmonic atmosphere under the sun of Malaysia. As if it is something we should be happy and contented with, and also for what we have achieved during these fifty years.
But to me, the sad truth is that, I have totally different perception in this matter. First thing in my mind, does unity really exists in this country? I doubt if it ever existed since the May 13th incident, the racial clash between two major races in Malaysia. Are the “peaceful” lives we all have now a result of UNITY? Or is it merely TOLERENCE? If we are really a big wonderful family as the government has long been propagating about, then why are we being treated differently? Have you ever seen a country in the world which has its people being rated like that? If you say there is tolerance between two differently ranked communities, yes, I would believe that; but if you say there are total understanding and unity, I don’t think there is any. If the New Economic Policy is still unable to yield significant improvement in the people’s wealth after being implemented for so many years, then how do you expect it to foster unity among Malaysians? Does it mean anything for the equal good of all people from different races? No. Clearly, NEP itself is a failure; more than just a failure, simply because it possesses hidden threat to the national integrity. If 30 years is not enough to educate or to help a certain race to get themselves on their own feet, then how many years does the government need? 50 years? Or probably twice the age of Malaysia now? Let me guess, how many men on earth can get rich as quick as the Klang Assemblyman, Zakaria? Or how can a youngster without any strong business basis like the Khairy Jamaluddin could afford shares worth millions of dollars? And maybe these are the only thing that the NEP can prove itself useful and beneficial, to “certain individuals” only, not even a community. Here is a tip, if you want to get rich, be like someone successful in the corporate arena, for an example, Tony Fernandez, the CEO and founder of Air Asia. Work like him. And please don’t tell me that Lim Goh Tong earned his business empire by just lazing around and asking for help. Do I need to remind you that Lim, the fourth richest man in Malaysia started off his business with just less than 100 ringgits in his pocket? The conclusion is: If you ever want anything, work for it. You don’t rob it from someone as you like just because you have different status from that person. Success and fame do not come without hard work.
Yea, that is probably the only picture all the Malaysians have in mind about unity. Malays, Indians and Chinese doing things together, holding hands like a family, with an ultimate message to be delivered by the government to its people, “WE ARE NOW 50 YEAR OLD.” “50 Years of Independence” or probably, “Happy 50th Birthday, Malaysia!”. Even I myself have to admit that those PETRONAS ads are really touching, as if I was born in such a harmonic atmosphere under the sun of Malaysia. As if it is something we should be happy and contented with, and also for what we have achieved during these fifty years.
But to me, the sad truth is that, I have totally different perception in this matter. First thing in my mind, does unity really exists in this country? I doubt if it ever existed since the May 13th incident, the racial clash between two major races in Malaysia. Are the “peaceful” lives we all have now a result of UNITY? Or is it merely TOLERENCE? If we are really a big wonderful family as the government has long been propagating about, then why are we being treated differently? Have you ever seen a country in the world which has its people being rated like that? If you say there is tolerance between two differently ranked communities, yes, I would believe that; but if you say there are total understanding and unity, I don’t think there is any. If the New Economic Policy is still unable to yield significant improvement in the people’s wealth after being implemented for so many years, then how do you expect it to foster unity among Malaysians? Does it mean anything for the equal good of all people from different races? No. Clearly, NEP itself is a failure; more than just a failure, simply because it possesses hidden threat to the national integrity. If 30 years is not enough to educate or to help a certain race to get themselves on their own feet, then how many years does the government need? 50 years? Or probably twice the age of Malaysia now? Let me guess, how many men on earth can get rich as quick as the Klang Assemblyman, Zakaria? Or how can a youngster without any strong business basis like the Khairy Jamaluddin could afford shares worth millions of dollars? And maybe these are the only thing that the NEP can prove itself useful and beneficial, to “certain individuals” only, not even a community. Here is a tip, if you want to get rich, be like someone successful in the corporate arena, for an example, Tony Fernandez, the CEO and founder of Air Asia. Work like him. And please don’t tell me that Lim Goh Tong earned his business empire by just lazing around and asking for help. Do I need to remind you that Lim, the fourth richest man in Malaysia started off his business with just less than 100 ringgits in his pocket? The conclusion is: If you ever want anything, work for it. You don’t rob it from someone as you like just because you have different status from that person. Success and fame do not come without hard work.
Celebrating 50 Years of Nationhood. 50 years aint a short time.
Recently I witnessed a truly grievous scene, whereby a group of youngsters got into a fight. Instead of finding out who is right and who had done wrong, these young men were first split into two groups, standing on each opposite site, with their own races. The war of words began. Obviously lack of rational discussions, I could only hear some vulgar and racist remarks from both sides. See? If those are the words that a so-called “united Malaysian” can pop up with during a fight, imagine what would happen if someday we are all experiencing hard time; and what on earth can the government use to prove their efforts to bring all Malaysians together?. Although this incident could be individual and isolated one, it has actually reflected the stereotype Malaysians; who have the similarity of venting their angers on racial issue. It is undeniable that all of us are watching out each others all along, despite living together in the same country for decades already. We do not have a proper channel to voice up our feelings to each other, communicating with other races effectively simply because there is a difference of status among Malaysians. In the end, Malaysians will split and stand together with their own races should any quarrels or disputes over the “rights” and “authority” of a certain races breaks out.
Well, in the Negarakuku issue(whereby a Malaysian tried to express true feelings by using national anthem as background music) I can see so many different reactions from all parties. Some praises his works for speaking out the truths, and some hate him to death. I just dont understand because there were some ministers and politikus had even suggested to suspend Wee's citizenships. Our dear Nazri claimed that Wee could be brought up to the court under the sedition act. Sedition? And again, these stupid arses proved themselves tak pakai otak. Why do I say so? Under the sedition act of Malaysia, there are a few things which no one can question over,including the citizenship of any Malaysians. So, does it mean that the ministers have to face the same actions which Wee would get? Haha. I'll wait and see. One more thing, did anyone here notice that this issue was raised by Mr.Liow Tiong Lai? He is the youth leader of MCA. Malaysian Chinese Association. well, yea, Chinese kononnya. A chinese leader that had actually made Wee so famous by condemning him in the public. And funny enough, MCA became the "good person" to help Wee to solve the issue after the Malay communities started to get furious about his production. The "chinese tulen" association then promised Wee that he will not face the music if he apologised. Things got the other way round when decisions have been made to sue Wee in the Cabinet Meeting, right after Wee apologised. Dramas & false promises, MCA has it all.
Instead of relying on the crutches or tongkat all the time, it is time for all Malaysians,regardless of race, to change, to become a really independent nation for a better future, for each and everyone. The government keeps telling the people that we are developing fast forward, but indeed we will never move a step higher if we still have dirty politics. It’s a really sad thing to say that those maggots will get you one or two new paved road or acting like to prevent price hike of rice only when the election is around. What a pity. And only we ourselves can make a difference by being united, and together we say no to corrupted & racist government.
In this Merdeka Special Issue, I hope everyone can understand that decisions and actions taken out of mere jealousy and discrimination would not bring any good to anyone, and to the country too. And also as a reminder to all, every single Malaysian, regardless of age, race, and sex, is contributing to the wealth of the country, and had paid a lot of efforts and experienced the hardships in the long walk to freedom.
50 Years of Independence.
Happy birthday my beloved Malaysia.
c guevara
