Tanggal 31
Bulan lapan lima puluh tujuh
Merdeka! Merdeka!
Tetaplah merdeka
Ia pasti menjadi sejarah
The chorus of the powerful patriotic song almost every Malaysian know. Every year, Malaysians celebrate Independence Day at national, state and district level on 31st August. However, as we grow old, we are driven with our daily life and become less patriotic if compared to when we were children. There is also intricate political entanglement that estrange our sense of belonging to tanah tumpah darahku. Truth is we are more divided than we could ever imagine. As it happens, Independence Day or aptly known in local language as Merdeka Day becomes one of my favourite vacation time until one year, I decided to be in town and attended the Merdeka Day parade at the Independence Square.
Ever since, I am a profound believer that attending the Merdeka Day celebration is a powerful way to remind myself of this country I call home. No matter how far I go, or how I hate the way she is being administered, Malaysia is love. The day I attended the Merdeka day parade, a sense of gratitude engulfed me almost instantaneously. Deep down inside, I know I love Malaysia to the moon and back. I have never sung the national anthem so loud in a crowd of strangers. But nobody frowned or stared at me because in the eyes of others, I am their fellow comrade and they are mine.
It warms me to see different races coming together to celebrate the independence and freedom secured by our forefathers. Of all people, the children and teenagers were the happiest. I encourage you to wake up early this Wednesday to witness the parade yourself. Bring your kids, family and friends. Let us be us, Malaysians!