Happy Birthday to Malaysia.
I’ve never been the patriotic sort, but even I wonder what it must have been like to stand in Merdeka Stadium August 31, 1957. To see before your eyes the British flag lowered for the first time and a new one rising to take its place. To experience literally, the birth of a new nation. And what was it like I wonder, to shout “Merdeka” with everyone else, and when the night was over, leave the stadium knowing you were part of a new country, with a new name and a new identity.
It must have been something awesome.
Some official in Sabah wants to set the record straight; Malaysia, he says, is 42 years old, not 48. Technically, Malaysia was only formed in 1963 when what we call East Malaysia joined the merry crew. I always wondered why we never celebrated September 16, 1973 – the day we became Malaysia. Because if you think about it, that official is right, East Malaysia is only celebrating 42 years of independence today, and “Malaysia” – if you wanted to get down to it – is really only 42 years old.
I highly doubt we’re going to celebrate birthday number 43 after this year’s 48th year announcement, but it wouldn’t it be great if we had 2 public holidays to commemorate our country’s beginnings instead of just 1? I’d all but forgotten about September 16 (is it the 16th?). I believe in Singapore, they get several days off for their independence bash? But then again, I believe they also send their dogs to obedience school and eagerly await their graduations, complete with pooch mortarboard and cutesy little tassels.
I think I’m still recovering from that bit of news. Call me toad in a well, but I’d never heard of anything like that in my life before. No wonder the country is having problems reproducing. Everyone is too busy spending money on their pets to bother with a real kid. I suppose I don’t really blame them, I mean, who on earth can afford a kid and a dog when they both require expensive toys, regular grooming and an education?
Hmm. Maybe I am patriotic after all. You don’t get any more Malaysian than taking a stab at our Southern neighbours on Independence Day I reckon.
