Not true that youth don’t appreciate Merdeka, says Dr M

Former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has refuted the notion that young Malaysians lack appreciation for the country's independence. Dr Mahathir, who is 101 years old, attended the national day parade yesterday and observed a vibrant and diverse crowd. He claimed that he saw many Malay, Chinese, and Indian youths among the spectators, all displaying joyful expressions and clearly celebrating their independence as if it were freshly gained after colonial rule.

Dr Mahathir emphasized that such a spirit among the youth is crucial for preserving the nation and that there is no nobler service than defending one's beloved country. This statement comes after concerns raised by members of the older generation regarding the level of patriotism among the younger generation. Notably, retired Special Branch officer Paul Kiong had previously urged the younger generation, Gen Z, to remember that peace was achieved through "sweat and blood" and called for unity as a single nation.