Monday, August 31, 2009

MERDEKA WISHES

I had just returned from the annual National Day celebrations. It was a very low key affair compared to the previous years. It was held at the Parliament square and attended by some 2,000 people.

It was a bit nostalgic for me to witness this event after watching parades of years gone-by. The previous National Day parades were held at Dataran Merdeka or state capitals with so much pomp and splendour.

This year's celebration was scaled down due to the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic which has swept around the globe claiming hundreds if not thousands of lives. This is the price we have to pay living in a border less world, where travel had become a norm rather than an exception.

However small the celebration, it is a day for us to ponder and think of the nation's independence. This comes at the right time when there are numerous people taking a racial and religious slant on issues that crop-up from time to time.

The 1Malaysia concept propounded by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is another reminder that we Malaysians must live our lives as Malaysians and not as Malay, Chinese and Indian.

While our race may differ, but our nationality is one -- Malaysian. No citizens of this nation should ever forget that. We are Malaysian first and only then are we Malay, Chinese or Indian.

We may be in a racially slanted political party but that party should operate in the context of 1Malaysia. It is my Merdeka wish that all of us Malaysians do away with the habit of branding people using their race, religion or even colour. We are Malaysians and Malaysians we would be, whatever come may.

Thank You and God Bless.

3 comments:

Madhu Shree said...

I've todate only seen your interests in viable land matters and publicity. I hope you are as sincere as you appear to be. All the best for the elections.

MAHENDRAN said...

Dear Ms. Madhu Shree,

What u might have seen could be only an outer layer of the core social services that are being rendered by Datuk. I'm not saying that ur perceptions are wrong but pls do try to find out what is happening far above then the news that u seemed to hear. Our man, Datuk Saravanan is what I believe to be a saviour for our community. What he has done for the community despite being a young politician is something that needs to be appreciated and not lamely being commented here by doubting his sincerity. Thank u very much


Regards,
MAHENDRAN
MIC WP YOUTH SECRETARY

asha iyengar said...

Dear Sir

I wish I could share the same "idealistic' sentiment as you for the national day that goes beyond race, religion and ideology for the sake of nation building.
However, I am still being reminded by the chauvinistic UMNO malays in this country that I am an immigrant who do not have the same rights as the bumis do.
The recent temple relocation protest at Sec 23 and the follow up to the events and how the state government bowed down to the chauvinistic racist pressure and the demolition of Kg Buah Pala, and the state government betrayed those folks as well. All the while the federal government kept mum on these issues.

Please tell me..am I a full fledge Malaysian?

Regards

Asha Iyengar