Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! That were the cries of Tunku Abdul Rahman on 31st of August 1957, that was remembered from then till now. It was the first time Malaya smelt freedom!There is this site, http://www.malaysiamerdeka.gov.my/index_bm.php, about Malaysia's 53rd year of independence, where you can read about the history of how Malaysia was formed, our achievements, etc...
But there is this one thing that I cannot agree on. Why are we still celebrating Merdeka Day and not Malaysia Day? After all, we are Malaysia now and not Persekutuan Tanah Melayu or Malaya. On 16th of September 1963, Sabah and Sawarak joined Malaya to form Malaysia. It was supposed to be combined on the 31st of August 1963, to coincide with the sixth Hari Merdeka, but it was delayed due to some Indonesian and Filipino's objections. But still, it was made possible through the introduction of the Malaysia Bill.
So, since Malaysia was formed on the 16th of September, why are we still celebrating the independence of Malaya and not the independence of Malaysia? By celebrating Merdeka Day, it would seem rather unfair to Sabah and Sarawak, right? And usually the celebrations of Merdeka Day are often at a bigger scale compared to the celebrations on Malaysia Day.
Finally, after much debate, Malaysia Day has been made a public holiday, starting from this year onwards! They should have done this much earlier. And I also think our independence should be changed from 31st Aug to the 16th of Sept. Let's make it fair to Sabah and Sarawak too, okay?
Support Malaysia Day!
2 comments:
Can I digress? haha.
I really believe that our Independence Day on the 31st should still be celebrated. No, it's not so that we'll have more public holidays (although that may be considered to be a bonus).
Hari Merdeka should continue to be celebrated and fondly remembered because it was on this day 53 years ago that Malaya gained independence. It was on this day 53 years ago that the people of Malaya, regardless of race and creed stood together as one to usher in the new rule by the then Malayans. It was on this day 53 years ago that the dreams of our forefathers and freedom fighters were properly realized.
And most importantly, without this day, 53 years ago, Malaysia Day on the 16th of September 1963 would probably have never existed. The reason why the then Malaya could fight for the freedom or Borneo was because the Peninsula was already free to rule on its own.
16th September should always be remembered as the day Malaysia came into being; the day Malaya completed the transition from being Malaya to Malaysia. Hence the name Malaysia Day.
Just an opinion of mine though. =) Do feel free to disagree, because my opinions aren't always the best.
ah.
but we are Malaysia now?
Malaya no longer exists on today's map.
shouldn't we celebrate Malaysia Day instead of Merdeka Day? it still can be remembered in history?
Post a Comment