AS this fortnight marks the celebrations of Merdeka day and Malaysia Day, it is apt to talk about nationalism.
Nationalism is defined by loyalty to country, doing what’s right for it and, in its noblest form, willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the nation. But not many are willing to take nationalism to this last step because the ultimate sacrifice of one’s life is too high a price to pay. It is paradoxical to kinship as, for adults, making this sacrifice means leaving families to fend for themselves. For children, kinship is vital to families for biological, economic and filial productivity. Hence, all Malaysian parents pray to protect their children from harm.