{
  "id": 3983593,
  "title": "Merdeka is stronger when we stand together",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/merdeka-is-stronger-when-we-stand-together",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T15:15:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2026/08/1520948/merdeka-stronger-when-we-stand-together"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "August is a particularly fortunate month for us in Malaysia. We celebrate our National Day on the last day of the month. Our neighbors, Singapore and Indonesia, also commemorate their independence in August. August is a time when the Philippines reflects on the martyrdom of Benigno Aquino Sr in 1983, which led to the country's rebirth as a democracy 40 years ago. While each nation's independence day is worth celebrating, we live in a world where strength seems to be the right approach. This makes it crucial for smaller nations like ours to consider how interdependence, especially among near neighbors, can actually preserve our independence in the future.\n\nSecurity in numbers is a significant advantage. By aligning our policies more closely with our near neighbors, such as Indonesia and Singapore, our collective voice in the global arena would be stronger than if we each took a stand individually. Although Asean, which marks its founding in August, is often considered the most successful regional grouping, it has become too large and unwieldy to have a substantial impact on the everyday lives of its citizens. It is more effective as a forum for meetings among leaders and government officials, but its influence on the lives of ordinary people is limited.\n\nWe face transboundary haze originating in Indonesia, affecting many people in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. A trilateral forum involving our three nations, in addition to the usual Asean forum, could be more effective in addressing the issue and preventing it from recurring yearly. The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint, has been closed recently. We should also keep in mind another chokepoint, the Strait of Malacca, which is relevant to our three nations. It is in our collective interest to ensure that freedom of navigation through this waterway remains unrestricted. Each of our neighboring countries is individually powerful in certain areas, and by combining our strengths, we can have even greater global impact. While Asean exists because each member state is unwilling to surrender any sovereignty for the greater good, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia can potentially subsume some of their national interests for the benefit of all three. As we do so, we may set an example for Asean as a whole, proving that interdependence can strengthen our respective independences.",
  "summary": "AUGUST is a particularly auspicious month in our neighbourhood. We in Malaysia celebrate National Day on the last day of the month.",
  "key_points": [
    "August is a fortunate month for Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia as they celebrate independence.",
    "Interdependence among near neighbors can strengthen individual independence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}