Salute to solidarity

THE outpouring of support and cheer for our sportsmen and sportswomen at the recent Rio Olympics is a clear indication of how Malaysians from different backgrounds and ethnicites rallied together as a nation.

With National Day just three days away, the nation’s daughters and sons will once again demonstrate their feelings of nationhood and patriotism for all to see when they celebrate this year’s theme, ‘Sehati, Sejiwa’ (One Heart, One Soul).

Girls, boys and adults alike will be waving the Jalur Gemilang, some will be draped in it, while others might be donning its colours - red, white, blue and yellow. There will also be those who will be dressed in ethnic costumes.

Schools are also hyping up the wave of patriotism by decorating their premises with flags and photographs of iconic Malaysian figures, such as the country’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

They are also hosting competitions for poetry-writing, drawing, singing, class decorations and best traditional costume - all with the Merdeka theme of course! What’s more, they are staging plays that centre on the country’s rich heritage and history.

It doesn’t stop there. With the nation already famous for its culinary delights, schools have resorted to taking their students down memory lane by dishing out Merdeka fare!

SMK Orkid Desa in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur began its National Day celebrations last week and surprised its students with a taste of what our parents and grandparents used to eat back then – tapioca (ubi kayu) with sugar or shredded coconut, which a delicacy then.

Another secondary school is also planning to come up with some Merdeka recipes, but that will remain a secret until Wednesday.

Meanhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia launched a Patriot programme to collect funds for Tabung Pahlawan (warriors fund), among other activities.

It also hopes to get into the Malaysia Book of Records for the Longest Palm-Print Jalur Gemilang. The 1,400 meter-long flag will be different in that it will not only have the palm prints of individuals from the Klang Valley, but will have the palm prints of those from other states too.

So is it our passion for sports, our patriotism, or our irrefutable love of nasi lemak and roti canai that unites us?

We asked students, teachers and lecturers what being a Malaysian means to them.

Across the board, students appreciate the peace and harmony we've enjoyed all these years. This is especially meaningful because of our diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

We have assimilated so well together that we have become truly unique.

The students have expressed gratitude that Malaysia is a peaceful nation. We are free from communism and terrorism, and can roam the streets at any hour in search of a 24-hour mamak stall, or, in the past three weeks, a Pokemon.

Moreover, the country has had few natural disasters, which is in itself, is another reason to celebrate.

And as National Day is a day to rejoice, we should as always come together in solidarity. After all, we are all Anak Malaysia!

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Bachelor of Computer Science

“There are so many tragedies in the world today but I am glad that our country is peaceful and our people united. It is our responsibility to maintain this.”

Farah Anisa Mohd Ghazali, 22

UTM technology management

“I am grateful that our country is free from war, and we have the freedom to do many things. While many Malaysians complain about the high cost of living, there are many other countries that are worse off than us, so we are in a good place.”

Muhammad Izzham Shah Ahmad Shamsul, 14

SMK Orkid Desa student

“As a Malaysian, I feel proud of the solidarity and tolerance practised by Malaysians.”

Dr Chandrakala Varatharajoo, 43

SMK Orkid Desa head of English panel

“When we stand up for each other irrespective of race -- that’s what being a Malaysian means to me.”

Nor Aidawati Mohamed, 39,

SMK Orkid Desa

counsellor

“I am proud to live among people of different races, cultures and religions.”

Ahalya Magendra, 12

SK Jalan Batu Tiga, Klang

“It is a day of remembrance of how the life of Malaysians began and how they moved forward and changed for the better over the years. The nation has overcome so many challenges and difficulties and this serves as a reminder to us that unity brings out the best in all of us. I am proud to call myself a Malaysian.”

Akhilesh Magendra, 15

Klang High School student

“Independence means freedom from injustice, cruelty and racism. Without this day, we would not have achieved what and where we are in Malaysia now. I am proud to live in Malaysia and study in its national schools. We are free from terrorists and can walk freely in the streets. There is no slavery or communism. Living in Malaysia is calm, peaceful and harmonious.”

Melinda Irene Pakinathan, 23

Universiti Utara Malaysia

“My dad told my siblings and I that on Aug 31, 1957, he went to Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur in a big lorry, to hear Tunku declare independence. Everyone had to stand and it was packed with people. He was only five then but could remember everything.”

“Another memory I have is of my primary school days when my friends and I would combine our pocket money to buy a big flag, which we would wave as a team when the national anthem was sung in our school assembly. We also used to fix flags on the side of our desks and on the back of our bicycles. I can still remember the atmosphere of our classes - it was so patriotic.”

Thanesh Pannirselvan, 24

TAFE College

“National Day is extra special to me because my birthday falls on the same day. When I was in kindergarten, I used to cry because I didn’t get to celebrate my birthday with my kindergarten mates.

“In primary school, I was known as the ‘Merdeka baby’ among my friends. They addressed me with that name more than my real name.

“Every year, my parents would buy a cake with the words, “Happy Birthday & National Day” written on it. My relatives and friends never failed to attend my birthday celebration as it falls on a public holiday. I am proud to have my birthday fall on the same day as National Day as not everyone gets this privilege.”

Sornavalli Dhanapalan, 14

SMK USJ 12, Subang Jaya

“Malaysians have similar values that unite us. For instance, in the recent Olympic games held in Rio, although Datuk Lee Chong Wei won a silver medal, he won gold simply by uniting us Malaysians.

“National Day makes me feel very proud to be a Malaysian as we stick through thick and thin together. Malaysia Boleh!”

Kho Yii Ting, 18

SMK Tinggi Klang

“ I consider National Day as a friendly reminder to the younger generation not to take liberty for granted and to remember how difficult it was to attain our freedom 59 years ago.

“I hope the younger generation will love the country and stand together to fight for a peaceful nation.”

Visali Kumaraval, 16

SMK Bukit Indah

“This day reminds us of how difficult life was and how thankful we should be.

Words can’t describe how lucky I feel to have been born in such a diverse country.

You can be Malay, Indian, or Kadazandusun, we are all Malaysians.”

Own Kai Jiun, 16

SMK Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam

“Great leaders like Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun H.S. Lee and Tun V.T. Sambanthan spent countless hours trying to negotiate for our country’s independence with the British government.

Many soldiers lost their lives while defending our land during the Second World War.”

Ting Lian Lee, 55

SM Teknik Johor MUET teacher

“The resounding declaration of independence has never ceased to invoke in me the pride of being an ‘Anak Malaysia’.

Like fellow Malaysians, I am able to enjoy the fruits of Tunku’s vision for a progressive nation.”

Bibianna Lee-Venn, 17

SMK Bukit Indah

“To be a Malaysian is to be one. We are all Malaysians so we shouldn’t call ourselves Chinese, Indians or Malays because we are one.”

Ahmad Amsyar Ahmad Effendy, 18

Universiti Teknologi Mara

“National Day unifies Malaysians regardless of age, race, religion and political ideology. Malaysia is a unique country where different races live under one roof. It is very important for us to maintain peace and harmony by being tolerant towards each other.”

Lim Seng Tat, 22

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

“There is no barrier among us as we celebrate different festivals and meaningful days together.

This makes Malaysia unique.”

Muhammad Danish Hakeem Saiful Anuar, 16

SMK Raja Chulan, Ipoh

“Aug 31 is the day where everyone puts aside their differences to honour the sacrifices and accomplishments of our forefathers into shaping the country we know and love.

We should not focus on what makes us different but on what makes us similar.”

Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Hassan Said, 61

UiTM Vice-chancellor

“To be a Malaysian is something to be proud of. It fills me with pride and makes me more committed to contribute in any way I can to make the country a better place.

We should be thankful we are blessed with many opportunities for (economic) growth, stability, wealth, and good food.”