Malaysian first and foremost

Today is Malaysia Day. It ought to be a celebration for all who declares themselves as Malaysians. For those who are unable to declare themselves as Malaysian first, we can't fault them if they can't comprehend the special meaning of this day because their heart is so much deluded and blinded with parochialism. Today in history was the beginning of a new era where free nations from both side of the South China Sea embraced each other as one nation.

After 47 years, today is the first time in the nation's history that this historical date has been declared and celebrated as a public holiday throughout the nation even though Sarawak and Sabah has been celebrating this day with much vigour and pomp before. Why is it there exists this sense of guilt that those from Peninsula Malaysia has not been placing the level of importance and weightage on this date in comparison to our brothers in Sarawak and Sabah?

Maybe for some this date is also a taboo date which shall not be ever mentioned or celebrated due to the embarassing failed event that happens in 2008 when a political leader declares that the federal government will change hand when a bunch of froggie lawmakers switches camp. At last the federal government did not change hand, only leaving red faces in many and a blacklisted date.

In the absence of political agendas it is with great hope that this special day shall not be treated as a political gambit but as the day when each and everyone will standup and declares that all of us are Malaysian first and foremost, no more no less where all across the South China Sea are brothers and shall be treated and respected as one. - Loka

Let's march for the nation

Malaysia will be celebrating her 52nd year of freedom from colonial powers on 31 August 2009. What is the meaning of this day of freedom ?

Since 31 August is a national public holiday some will take the opportunity to spend more time with their family or beloved ones. Taking advantage on the final day of the Mega Sales Carnival, shopaholics will be swarming the shopping complexes looking for last minutes bargain especially those in big cities crowded with shopping malls. For those who has been sweating it out for the week, the long weekend will the time to have a good rest on the couch.

For those involving in the national day annual parades; brazing through hot suns, inhaling the dreaded haze which is an annual Merdeka gift mostly from our "brotherly" neighbour and drenched by the intermitten rain (not from water cannons though) is already part and parcel of of the package for these patriotic marchers. No worry, those marching along the designated routes will not be sued by the shopowners, KFC, or the goreng pisang and cendol hawkers for causing their sales and profits to drop.

On the contrary, they should be enjoying roaring business from those people that crashed into the parade sites to witness the parade. For sure the ice-cream man and the mamak stalls will be replenishing their stock to fulfill the fanstastic demand. Wonder if these businesses along the routes will share their extra profit with the march organisers since they are the one that brings in more people to the streets.

Why do these people march? No doubt they must be having a valid reason to spend weeks practising and rehearsing their steps marching to the rhythm to ensure nothing went arong so that they can put up a great show on that memorable day. They will be marching as what their forefathers did more than 52 years ago.

Their forefathers marches for a belief, the belief that one day their land shall be free from the clutches of the domineering, high and mighty powers of the day. They dreamt one day they will be able to build a great nation for themselves and their children, and their childrens children. A place where everyone can breathe the same air of freedom with a peaceful mind and hold into their heart that this land will provide a just and equitable opportunity for all to build a happy and comfortable place which they can call home.

Now 52 years later, their sons and daughters will also march to protect the freedom that is promised to all and to remember with gratitude those before them that had sacrificed and dedicated they lives for the nation because they believed it is the right thing to do. On 31 August, for those marching throughout the country, at Padang Merdeka in Kuching, Waterfront in Kota Kinabalu, Dataran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam, Danga Bay in Johore Bahru, Seberang Prai in Penang and so on, they will be marching with the vigour and spirit of their predecessors. They will march to ensure their freedom will be defended and the right to their religious and cultural practices will be respected and to ensure the destiny of the nation will not falls into the hands of bigots and self serving individuals and parties.

Yes, on 31 August all of us will rise early and raise the Jalur Gemilang under the sun that shines over our land and we shall march together for the freedom, justice, progress and a united nation.

Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan ke 52.

Long Live Malaysia! - Loka