Merdeka?
August 29, 2009
MERDEKA?
by Art Harun (http://art-harun.blogspot.com/)
Amidst all the flags, the procession, the RM100 million celebration, the shouts and screams of “Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka”, perhaps we should just look back at what our Father of Independence, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj said in his speech preceding the reading of the Merdeka Proclamation. Among others, he said :
“I am indeed proud that on this, the greatest day in Malaya’s history it falls to my lot to proclaim the formal independence of this country. Today as new page is turned, and Malaya steps forward to take her rightful place as a free and independent partner in the great community of Nations – a new nation is born and though we fully realise that difficulties and problems lie ahead, we are confident that, with the blessing of God, these difficulties will be overcome and that today’s events, down the avenues of history, will be our inspiration and our guide…
But while we think of the past, we look forward in faith and hope to the future; from henceforth we are masters of our destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility: Let no one think we have reached the end of the road: Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavour-the creation of a new and sovereign State. At this solemn moment therefore I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty – a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world.
High confidence has been reposed in us; let us unitedly face the challenge of the years. And so with remembrance for the past, and with confidence in the future, under the providence of God, we shall succeed.”
Later, when he recited the Merdeka Proclamation, he said, among others:
“I, TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN PUTRA IBNI AL-MARHUM SULTAN ABDUL HAMID HALIMSHAH, PRIME MINISTER OF THE PERSEKUTUAN T ANAH MELAYU, with the concurrence and approval of Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Malay States do hereby proclaim and declare on behalf of the people of the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu that as from the thirty first day of August, nineteen hundred and fifty seven, the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu comprising the States of lohore, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Trengganu, Perak, Malacca and Penang is and with God’s blessing shall be for ever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.“
Perhaps we should all reflect whether these lofty ideals set out by the Tunku has been achieved, 52 years after he proclaimed it. Or whether we have ever worked towards achieving the same.
A nation founded upon the principles of liberty and justice. A nation which is ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people. A nation inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty. A nation which is to be a beacon of light in a disturbed and a distracted world.
That was the Tunku’s aspirations. And the aspirations of all Malaysians on 31st of August 1957.
Have we all, as a nation, achieved those? Have we worked to achieve those? If we have, have we worked hard enough to achieve those?
Would the Tunku, had he been still alive, looked at all of us, his children and grandchildren, with a big smile on his face, thinking to himself, “I am happy with what all of you have achieved, and I will go to face my creator a happy and fulfilled man”?
Or would he, had he been still alive, grimace in pain and displeasure, at what we have all become, at what this nation of ours have become?
I am asking this because I remember the day he died. And the day his body was rested. And I remember the days before he died. I remember his columns in the Star newspaper, “As I See It” and “Looking Back”. His love for this nation and his undying commitment towards democracy, social justice and fairness would see him rise on occasions, even when he was in his old age to fight what he saw as injustice, unfairness and dictatorial behaviours.
He was critical of Dr Mahathir, the then Prime Minister. That man of course had, in 1987, banned the Star newspaper, which was substantially owned by the Tunku.
And when UMNO (the original UMNO) was declared illegal by the High Court (at the insistance of Counsel appearing for the Mahathir faction), the Tunku, out of sheer love for UMNO and the nation, quickly teamed up with Tun Hussein Onn (another former PM) to form a party known as UMNO Malaysia. UMNO Malaysia registration was blocked by non other than Mahathir Mohammad. Mahathir later registered UMNO Baru and changed the law to allow UMNO Baru to be renamed UMNO as if nothing had ever happened in between.
I then remember him supporting Tunku Razaleigh’s Semangat 46. The Tunku, despite his old age, even went out to campaign in the 1990 general election.
On 6th December 1990, the Tunku, our Father of Independence, died. He died as an opposition. He died opposing a derivative of the very party he once led and gained independence with. He died opposing what he thought and perceived as a totalitarian government bent on destroying social justice and equality.
Today, almost 52 years after he stood and proudly recited the Merdeka Proclamation, I wonder whether he is smiling at all of us in heaven. Or whether he is turning his back against us. Knowing how much he loved this nation and how hard he fought for justice, fairness, liberty and freedom, he could be hurting.
Al fatihah to the Tunku.
Great. Let me tell you all – those who want to call themselves, Malay, versus Malaysian. If we are to differentiate by race, so be it, then I openly tell you, the only two true leaders that the Malaysians classified as Chinese, love, and admire, are the Tunku and Tun Hussein. The rest belongs in the same class as sus scrofa scrofa.
james chua - August 29, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I was 18 when our country became independent ion August 31, 1957. Tunku wanted Malaya (Malaysia after 1963) to be a beacon of democracy, inspired by the ideals of justice and equality. After 52 years, I see my country as a divided nation, despite all claims about it being 1Malaysia.
We are today, two days before Independence Day, identified by our race and religion because politicians in power chose to exploit our differences and play with our insecurities and fears. When will these irresponsible people stop playing with our emotions for political advantage? They will not succeed with me. I just won’t go their way. I am comfortable being me as a Malaysian. –Din Merican
dinobeano - August 29, 2009 at 8:33 pm
this man ART HARUN i find quite incredible. he seems to write with the flair and seems to have imbibed the art of writing from KHALIL GIBRAN. And every piece of his seems as good as any done by KHALIL GIBRAN . KHALIL GIBRAN of course wrote the PROPHET , THE BROKEN WINGS and many many other incredible scripts .
after reading ART’S piece here , i feel we have to just forget dr mahathir mohammad’s 22 years and disregard his legacy and just move along as though mahathirism and mahathir’s 22 years did not happen . WHAT DO YOU MR. BEAN , TOK CIK , TEAN AND MR DIN THINK?
jeffery gascon - August 29, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Whatever is said and done, 52 years means that we have survived this length of time.Whether the non Malays have given in more than the Malays is not so relevant. More important is that we are still a nation,multiracial, diverse but “unified”. Within the next 50 years we will be UNIFIED and will call ourselves MALAYSIANS,although still remerbering that we are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sinhalese, Sikhs, Malayalees, Kadazans Eurasians and the others that make up our Great Malaysia. God bless Malaysia
Brian - August 29, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Jeffery,
As a Malaysian leader and Prime Minister, Tunku is without parallel. Tun Razak, Tun Hussein, Tun Mahathir and Tun Badawi (ah,this Islam Hadhari man!) pale in comparison. He had a dream of a happy Malaya/Malaysia, but UMNO ultras unseated him because he was seen to be “soft” on the Chinese and Indians. But if we look back at his legacy we cannot but admit that Tunku was the Father of Unity who brought independence to our country. –Din Merican
dinobeano - August 29, 2009 at 9:17 pm
We may be fifty years old going by the number of years after Merdeka but when one thinks about it we are only a nation about twenty or so years old. The last three decades will go down as Malaysia’s “stolen years”.That is why, whichever way we turn fron now, we must not lose our nerve because, all things considered, we are still doing OK.
Isa Manteqi - August 29, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Brian, well said, but the sad truth is the pain is one perpetuated by no one else but the leaders of the Nation.
But I disagree with you that we are unified. We are not. We are segregated by race and religion. That is not unity. That is differentiation, not integration. I love my country. I grew up in a Malay village where I personally experience the divide progressing as I grew up between myself and my Malay friends. Today, the sincerity of youth, and the brotherhood that I experienced with my Malay friends no longer exist. I am an infidel in their eyes, unholy, taboo, simply because I was born to a religion not of my chosing, and there exist no reason WHATSOEVER, to effect me to convert to a religion that perpetuates human differentiation.
I despise the leaders and no matter what is said and written here, it is not representative of the majority of the nation, otherwise, why would we have the continual outbursts against religion, against races, and why are we not all viewed as Malaysians???
james chua - August 29, 2009 at 9:25 pm
din ,
I agree with you – that TUNKU knows no parallel and 22 years of mahathirism failed to undo TUNKU’S legacy .
jeffery gascon - August 29, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Isa Manteqi, “still doing OK” is not good enough. It is tragic that we lost the opportunity to a successful democracy in our region. This is because after Tun Hussein, we have had two leaders who retarded our society. Najib’s predecessor is the worst of them all. For 6 years he slept on his job while hard working and very driven Mahathir crippled all institutions of governance.–Din Merican
dinobeano - August 29, 2009 at 9:36 pm
James,
I meant “unified” in inverted comers (meaning we are still not quite there yet.) but will in the next 50 years achieve unity in the pure sense of the word.
Like you, I and the many other Malaysians more than despise our leaders.We were however given the chance to rid our nation of these despicable leaders but did not grasp the opportunity. I am referring to the elections of 08, the Malays did their part but the non Malays failed in getting the present mob out. All we did was to take the 2/3 majority away from the BN. Thats’ not enough. I have said this before in this blog,it is for this reason I agree that Anwar gains control of the government by getting the East Malaysian BN MPs to hop over. Unethical as it may be, I still think it was permissible in the circumstance prevailing.
Brian - August 29, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Isa o Isa my friend, why are we “o.k.”? You are right about that stolen generation, almost 30+ years – but if that is measured in lives and livelihood – that is not an o.k. We’ve now a bunch of corrupted good for nothing goons, who use their very own God given attributes to oppress, distress and despise others.
We are headed towards Apartheid – both racial and religious. And like attracts the like (unlike all things in the universe) – our only trading partners will be Myanmar and Zimbabwe, who have recently established ‘diplomatic’ ties.
Menyalak-er - August 29, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Jeffry,
We’ve been duped and taken for a ride. That’s all I can say. Who then is the culprit? Well, you know who he is.
I was already in school when the nation gained its independence. The picture of Tunku adorned the wall of my class. He was our hero. But one guy was bent on changing Tunku’s legacy and he achieved it after only a few years in the driver’s seat.
We are reaping the evils he had unleashed on this nation 22 years down the road. All the ills that we face today are caused by this devil of a man.
I’ve no desire to celebrate or fly the Jalur Gemilang. It’ll be a quiet Merdeka day for me. I can still shout MERDEKA but merdeka from what?
Tok Cik - August 30, 2009 at 12:49 am
As I think of Tunku and watch the funeral of Senator Ted Kennedy I couldn’t help noticing the similarities in the lives of these two men.
Just as Ted Kennedy cared for the poor and the disadvantaged, so did Tunku. Like Ted Kennedy, Tunku was also a playboy who ended up quietly marrying his English landlady. There was no record of Tunku cheating in his exams but if he had tried nobody would be surprised; and so did Ted Kennedy when he was in Harvard. Ted Kennedy got his friend to stand in for him for his Spanish language paper and both got booted out of Harvard. Tunku would have loved for Eusoffe Abdulcader (who rose to be a federal court justice) to stand in for him when sitting for his bar exams. The closest Eusofee got was to read him notes so that he remained awake and not fall asleep.
Like Ted Kennedy it was wine, women and songs in the early years. In later years, Tunku managed to slip in horses before women.
Tunku not only helped bring independence to the country he loved but lived life the way he felt it should be lived, urging his people to live in peace despite their differences. He taught us how to find dignity in our differences. That is his legacy.
Key phrases in Tunku’s Independence Day speech included “sovereign and democratic and independent state founded upon the principles of liberty and justice” and “ seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.“
This sounds similar to the opening lines of the U.S. Declaration of Independence of 1776 penned by Thomas Jefferson:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Tunku looked to the United States for inspiration. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that he crafted the political entity the Brits were leaving behind along the lines of a federation except it is not a true federation. He even made the country’s flag to look like Old Glory with red, white and blue. He had a similar statue made which resembled the Iwo Jima Memorial that now stands near Arlington National Cemetery where Ted Kennedy will be buried today, made by the same sculptor, Felix de Weldon. That’s how much the U.S. inspired him.
Mr Bean - August 30, 2009 at 3:52 am
Mr Bean - August 30, 2009 at 4:00 am
It is Sunday over there isn’t it? Let me take you guys back to 1963.
Mr Bean - August 30, 2009 at 9:39 am
oooops closer to 1961
Mr Bean - August 30, 2009 at 9:45 am
Ilham, dont be holier than thou. It is in-material to us, the holier than thou accusations, what we need is a true leader for the people, with sincerity to make all Malaysians prosper. Whether Anwar have an infinity to men or not, is none of our business. It is his private life. I happened to know people in the United States who used to be close to him, and there is a definitive agreement that he is normal, just like another guy.
It is people like you, that harms our country. Rather to to focus on the ills of the country, you need to focus on accusations that the public already know is simply an avenue to put Anwar away. No matter what the outcome, the public has made its decision and there is absolutely nothing you can do to change it.
The current UMNO leaders are those that have proven to us their incessant need to enrich themselves, to take the public for granted, and to heap disunity in the name of religion and race.
Since you must prove to us that you are more holy, and obviously, you dont care about forgiveness and you dont care about all the right things about islam, and all you care for is hatred, why dont you please take a shortcut to heaven and leave us alone?
james chua - August 30, 2009 at 11:04 am
“why don’t you please take a shortcut to heaven and leave us alone?
Wrong James, it should be”hell” not heaven.
Brian - August 30, 2009 at 12:14 pm
“Malaysia is doing OK”
In our rush to reform our country we should not overlook our “good” points viz. peace, stability and civil order. That we still have them despite the politicians is a tribute to the ordinary Malaysian. All we need to do is somehow get rid of the leeches in our system and we shall be on our way. The best way to do this will be at the next GE, provided, of course, that a few in PAS will stop throwing spanners in the works.
____________
Isa Manteqi,
You probably forget that the Merdeka Celebrations in recent years have been used to show case UMNO’s “achievements”, not to honour the ordinary Malaysians whose toil and loyalty to the ideals founded on peace, stability and civil order made what Malaysia still is today, despite the flaws and follies of the UNMO-BN characters who are running our country. We Malaysians are just “orang surohan” (servants) to the UMNO oligarchs and its elite.
Happy Merdeka to you and all our friends, and let us renew our commitment to change and progress without corruption and incompetence.–Din Merican
Isa Manteqi - August 30, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Fellow commentators
Don’t confuse the country Malaysia and the BN government. Shrek love Malaysia(Malaya) the country (warts and all) If not for Malaysia (Malaya) Shrek and all of us will not be where we are right now. Count your blessings. Had you been born in any of the Indo China countries (Laos, Vietman and Cambodia) you’d probably be dead or if you survive you’d be a refugee in a third country. Had you been born in Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Myanmmar (Burma) North Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq and many other African countries you’d be worse off.
So celebrate Merdeka the way you want to celebrate being citizen of on independent country. But don’t celebrate it the BN way.
shrek - August 31, 2009 at 4:14 am
Well said Shrek…
Isa Manteqi - August 31, 2009 at 9:36 pm