I could choose today of all days to lament.
I could choose, if I wished, to sit here comfortably and comment or complain (depending on how you see it) on the weaknesses of this country that I (sometimes hesitatingly) call Home, because there are moments when I find it so difficult to fit in.
I could talk about how far we still have to go in terms of battling corruption, in terms of breaking racial barriers, in terms of equal wealth distribution, in terms of freedom of speech and expression, in terms of our exam-centred education system, in terms of broadening narrow minds and developing a better mentality among the people.
I could choose to be one of the disgruntled youth of today’s generation, cynical and disillusioned, unhappy and dissatisfied, forever voicing our discontent at one thing or another, from public transportation to the weather to traffic jams to football. I might even find myself as one of the two-thirds of Malaysians that Zainul Arifin describes in his latest article. I love Zainul Arifin’s column by the way.
Yes, I could choose to.
And therein lies the difference. That I have that sort of choice.
Today, if only for just this one day, I’d like to stand and look beyond all that. To look at the bigger picture, so to speak. And ponder upon why as much as I’m discontented with certain major things in this nation, it’s the one place I can never really ever leave for good. Travelling away from this place is only possible when I know that there is a Home I’m leaving behind to return to later. My Malaysia. It is truly, as they say, tanah airku. I am not as so foolish as to overlook and ignore the underlying problems that plague this country, but today, I want to celebrate and embrace the Malaysian part of my identity without any unnecessary disruption. Today, I want to remember the peace and prosperity that I am able to enjoy because of the sacrifices of my forefathers.
Today, she turns 50 and I am proud, seeing how far she has come since that glorious day in 1957. From the hollows of the kampungs in dense locations to the open bustling cities, we cry our Merdekas!, the merry shouts ringing out loud and true.
Above all, I am grateful to God for the Independence He has given her, and the opportunity He has given us to thrive and grow under self-governance.
50 years. Masya Allah. Truly, we are blessed.
Abah asked me over breakfast today to name two things I loved about Malaysia, or loved about being a Malaysian. The first thing I said was the food. I know it’s painfully predictable (Aisya would interject with a long drawn-out DUH here), but I’m standing my ground on this one. There’s something about the Malaysian atmosphere that helps to really bring out the kick in local delicacies. I’m sorry to you folks overseas, but you must agree nasi lemak tastes way better here on home soil. Anywhere else, and it’s originality feels reduced to a mere imitation.
The second thing was hard to describe. I said that I couldn’t exactly say what it was; it was more of a concept. It’s the unspoken spirit of being Malaysian. There’s something about living here, being among it’s people, being subjected to the system, grumbling about that very system with fellow citizens, rallying together during badminton matches, waving or flying that dear Jalur Gemilang…there’s something endearing about all of it. I can’t quite place my finger on what to term it, and maybe in that itself, lies the uniqueness of being a Malaysian. That we understand what it is, what we are, and how we all fit in on that delicate tapestry so fragile and strong at the same time. It is something tangible, inherently felt.
This clip chokes me up every year. I can never get enough of Petronas ads! Total classics. =)
For better or worse, Malaysia.
I wish you well, dearest homeland of mine.
Excerpt from Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s Erti Kemerdekaan:
"..
Nasib kita genggam
dengan tangan sendiri dan segala kudrat kurniaan
kita jalin kekuatan sulaman kasih bangsa
kita didihkan dia dengan tradisi semangat juang
maruah bangsa kita julang ke mercu alam
kita bangunkan suatu tamadun cinta damai
di sini kita ajar anak-anak kita erti sayang
di sini kita tawarkan dunia menaja kemanusiaan
dan bukan alat peperangan
dunia belajar erti merdeka sejati
mempelajari dan menerima segala perbezaan
merdeka menafsir hidup tanpa paksaan kuasa.
Di sini kita yakin segalanya boleh
Di sini kita yakin segalanya boleh
Itulah erti kemerdekaan.
Perjuangan ini mesti diteruskan."
Enough said here.
