PETALING JAYA: Malaysians, who will mark National Day on Thursday, should look ahead while not forgetting the struggles of the country’s forefathers, say the two deputy prime ministers.
“In moving forward, we must not forget the struggle of our forefathers who fought for Malaysia’s independence, as without them, we would not be where we are today,” said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said it was also time that the people “think big”.
“This is the era to translate our independence into an Asean country that is ahead in political stability and economic growth.
“Our independence is about us protecting the harmony between our races, religions and cultures. Hari Merdeka is also to mark those of us in the peninsula appreciating our family in Sabah and Sarawak and keeping them close to us.
“Independence also means us moving forward as one nation with IR4.0 and AI (artificial intelligence) to free Malaysia from being labour-intensive,” he said when asked what “Merdeka” meant to him.
IR4.0 or the Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to how technologies such as augmented reality, robotics, 3D printing and others will change industries and the way we work.
For Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, a Sarawakian, “Merdeka” is close to his heart as his own father was a freedom fighter against the British.
Malaysians, he said, must know the history of the country’s forefathers in order to appreciate the meaning of “Merdeka”.
“I remember my father Yusof Merais, who was among those who fought against the colonials to free this country. Through his indomitable spirit alongside his compatriot Rosli Dhobi, independence was etched into our nation’s story, a narrative written with sweat and courage.”
