Looking Beyond 52

Hari Merdeka is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule, celebrated on August 31. In a wider context, it is to celebrate the formation of Malaysia

The effort for independence was spearheaded by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, who led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in negotiations with the British in London for Merdeka, or independence along with the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian Congress Tun V.T. Sambanthan. Once it became increasingly clear that the Communist threat posed during the Malayan Emergency was petering out, agreement was reached on February 8, 1956, for Malaya to gain independence from the British Empire. However, for a number of logistical and administrative reasons, it was decided that the official proclamation of independence would only be made the next year, on August 31, 1957, at Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), in Kuala Lumpur.

"Dawn breaks to the echoes of its rhythm
Winds carry its tune across the land
Listen and you will hear the song in your heart
For its the one song we sing with one voice." - Astro

Malaysia to me the house I live in, a lot of earth, a street, the children in the playground, the faces that I see all races and religions that america to me. 52 years ago, our forefathers came together to make a noble stand for our independence. Today, this same unity still lives through the spirit of "1 Malaysia". It is time yet again to celebrate our freedom and continue to champion the belief that we are stonger as "One"!

Let us celebrate our independence, the Malaysian people's sovereign and supreme right to live as we choose, and not submit nor conform to the dominance and control, dogma or authority of another force or power. Not as simple or clear-cut as it sounds, what with borders blurring between nation states due to the spread of popular culture, the scourge of airborne diseases, the explosion of information and communication technology, the growth of capitalism and multi-national enterprise.- Tessie Lim, Founder of World Center of Personal Excellence.

On the previous years as this day, I was reading newspaper- New Straits times, come to front they were reprint a set copy of articles based on 1957, enigmatically immemorial through, and I kept these until now. I will not going to throw off, but appreciate even until I went old for next generation.

What if you could spot yours patriarch inside here?

Shell ads in 50s. Haha

I like all the ads.

从1957年独立迄今，大马人在风雨飘摇中，喊 “默迪卡” 喊了52年。独立或者建国，经过这些年的熏陶与沉淀，早已经根植于每个国民心中。今年，在国内政治乱象的阴影下，新任首相将我国独立52周年的国庆主题定为 “一个马来西亚” ，以民为本，成就为重，强调返朴归真，把一切回馈于人民身上。既然以民为本，作为人民的我们不妨递时地思考一下，这片国土对你而言是怎样的一个地方，你对它有着怎样的期待?

What does Merdeka mean to you? What do you feel when you hear the word, "Merdeka"? Does "freedom" ring in the same sentence? Do you find a frisson of joy at having able to celebrate 52 years of peace, independence successful people from all industries, to get a feel of this.

On the eve, I headed back to met up Kal purposely. If I were not meeting him this time, there will not know when I could see this nut anytime. I had a good times here. This moment is always missed. Well doing you must after starting on the second journey back to Swiss, man. Kal always quote " Sabahan are not staying on TREE! You westerns Malaysian unwisdomness." Haha. (This is an story began on peers last time) I always hat off to united heart of borneo peoples they were being. Marion, Roger, and friends joined after the half section, no figure picture.






Together, we're stronger. 1. Bound by the same goals and united by shared passion, we're a nation that stays strong because we stay together. Today, we celebrate the unity of our strength that has made us One for 52 years, Malaysia.

Selamat Hari Merdeka.

A poem that is a favourite among readers of Honk! If You’re Malaysian, judging from the frequency with which it is quoted in blogosphere: Regarding our inherent make-up, is one race more likely to act in a certain way than another?

Kalau tidak malas, bukan Melayu,
Kalau tidak tipu, bukan Cina,
Kalau tidak minum, bukan India.
(If you’re not lazy, you’re not Malay,
If you don’t cheat, you’re not Chinese,
If you don’t drink, you’re not Indian.)

To my friend I say:

I’m Chinese but I’m no cheat,
My friend’s Indian but he’s no drunk,
Another is Malay but he’s no slob,
Chinese, Indian, Malay or Others,
We are who we make ourselves to be,
Not the stereotypes we’re made out to be.
But if we don’t buck the trend,
We’ll forever be stamped.”

Forty-something Lydia Teh is the author of ‘Honk! If You Are Malaysian’. She likes to eat roti canai when money is tight which isn’t surprising as her latest book is ‘Stretching Your Dollar$ and $ense – More than 300 money-saving tips for anyone and everyone.

Pround to be Malaysian.