Why celebrate merdeka

Tun Mahathir, or Tun M as he is fondly known, is in his second term as Prime Minster since last year, having served as premier from to Participating in the colourful parade are the armed forces, police, civil servants, non-government organisations, schoolchildren as well as representatives from the private sector. Aircraft flyovers by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, cultural performances and spectacularly-decorated floats add to the festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, smaller-scale celebrations take place in other cities and towns around the country, many involving parades and performances. The celebratory atmosphere continues nationwide until Malaysia Day on September 16, which celebrates the formation of Malaysia in In terms of family, it would be the freedom to spend quality time with my loved ones.

In my community, it would be the freedom to go about my neighbourhood feeling safe. Ultimately, Merdeka is when everyone will be treated the same regardless of skin colour, race, beliefs or social status. Merdeka means the freedom to choose how to live your life. We are getting there as a nation, one baby step at a time. Until then, we have hope to cling on to for a better and progressive Malaysia. Merdeka signifies independence, freedom and sovereignty.

In the Malay archipelago, this term had acquired the meaning of a freed slave. For me, freedom means that we are all equals. I am thankful for what we have today. We are seeing Malaysians helping Malaysians. We are seeing human beings helping one another. I am reminded of what our Bapa Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman once told me at his Penang house long after he retired as prime minister.

If the boat sinks, we will all sink. So, we have to keep it afloat. We have to row together. If water gets in, we have to scoop it up and throw it out together. Then we will be safe and happy. That is what I want for this blessed country. And thousands of kindhearted Malaysians are doing just that — working to row together, to keep the boat from sinking. That, I feel, deserves to be celebrated this Merdeka. We should also find optimism in the greater political awareness among our youths and their willingness to stand up for their convictions.

Some of them courted arrest in demonstrating and speaking up for the suffering of the people, particularly the poor. They did this because of their love for, and loyalty to, Malaysia. They want a better Malaysia. When young people are willing to face arrest or harassment for their ideals and convictions, it means democracy is alive in that nation and that its youth are right at the centre of it.

Celebrations usually start in Malaysia from the beginning of August with various programs and national competitions. Owing to the celebrations, the month of August in Malaysia is also known as the National Month, reports the National Today website.

First Malaysian prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in to negotiate with the British for independence. An agreement was reached on February 8, , for Malaysia to gain independence from British rule. However, due to some logistical and administrative reasons, the actual independence of Malaysia was declared the next year on August 31, The preparations for Malaysia National Day celebrations are 90 per cent complete, said communications and multimedia ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek, according to The Star website.