Our true Merdeka: freedom from division, dependency and impatience

Merdeka transcends the declaration of Malayan independence on August 31, 1957. It embodies the aspirations, tribulations, and achievements of every Malaysian, as well as the decisions we make that will determine our children's future. On this day, we must contemplate our commitments, duties, and mistakes. To achieve this, we must remember the two primary challenges our ancestors faced: securing human resources for national security and progress, and uniting a diverse group of people with varying religious, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

They established a constitution that reflected both our past and our aspirations. However, this foundation was threatened by the 1969 racial riots. Consequently, the Rukun Negara emerged a year later, reaffirming the values that must guide us as a nation. These documents, the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara, are not foreign creations or remnants of colonial rule.

They are the result of our collective hopes, fears, and wisdom, incorporating the beliefs of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and others from various religious traditions. Therefore, we must safeguard the objectives outlined in these documents. We need our own Merdeka – freedom from those who aim to divide and undermine the ideals set forth by Tunku Abdul Rahman, our founding father.

To attain this, we must unite in a shared vision, followed by diligent efforts to create a Malaysia free from housing scarcity, food shortages, and environmental harm. Affirmative action may still have its place, but justice obliges us to eventually surpass it. We must vow to elect the most qualified leaders, necessitating diligence and discernment.

However, a shared vision lacks meaning without collective action. Our ancestors laid the groundwork for our economy, education, and social systems. Each community, post-1957, demonstrated resilience in building upon these foundations, creating a nation that takes pride in its accomplishments. Our success is not solely measured by how far we have progressed, but by the fact that we worked collectively for the sake of future generations.

Unity is the cornerstone of our success, while division signifies our failure. We fail when hatred proliferates like a malignancy, when divisive narratives cloud our judgment. The victims are not limited to a single community, but rather, they are often the victims of power-hungry politicians. A shared vision demands patience. Rome was not built in a day, so why should Malaysia be any different?

We also require a Merdeka from impatience. Change does not materialize with the press of a button, nor by swapping a party or prime minister. It necessitates time for governments to rectify past errors and for society to distance itself from the toxic rhetoric that has poisoned minds in recent years. Once we have patiently achieved our shared vision, we must strive for a Merdeka from dependency.

We must refrain from relying solely on our own kind or retreating into isolationism. Such thinking is propagated by opportunists seeking power. Yet, our faiths remind us that pluralism is part of God's plan, and kindness towards our neighbors is a sacred duty. Our forefathers established the path for nation-building. It is now our duty to adhere to their vision and continue it.

Happy Merdeka to all! The expressed opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.