Under the Malaysian Sun
Being a Malaysian is often associated with our love for teh tarik, mamak lepak sessions and breakfasts at kopitiams, but is that all?
SUARA MANDIRI Issue #8
Between August 31 and September 16 this time around, there is an apparent, deafening silence in schools - the absence of children belting out Keranamu Malaysia at the top of their lungs whilst Jalur Gemilangs flutter overhead, slicing the air with great vigour. Residential areas are decked out with flags of monochrome shades, instead of being festooned with a riot of red, blue, yellow, and white. The daily local news is prefaced with the number of deaths in Malaysia; grief-stricken and bereaved families are left out of sight and sound.
Malaysian ether is swathed by a hazy overcast. The ebb and flow of politics and power tussle have muddied our estuaries, once a triumphant blue. Our soil is stained crimson, not from soldiers donning a red badge of courage, but from the death of hundreds of civilians in vain. Eighteen months in, the war against the pandemic rages on.
Amid the pandemic edging towards a grim milestone, the struggle of finding solace is evident. However, Malaysians have endured and proven to possess an indomitable will to fight during these turbulent times by staying united and helping one another. The #benderaputih movement is one such example.
In the spirit of togetherness and patriotism, this article features the thoughts and views of every member of HAKAM Youth on what it means to be Malaysian, what Independence Day (31 August 1957 for the Federation of Malaya, 31 August 1963 for Sabah and 22 July 1963 for Sarawak) means personally, and the hopes harboured for Malaysia.
What does it mean to you to be Malaysian?
Aaron
The first thing that comes to mind about being Malaysian is her melting pot of cultures. Cultural diversity is not something one would often see everywhere. It takes a 'Malaysian' mindset to appreciate the existence of our diversity. This appreciation makes for a better nation and invariably imbues Malaysia with an inimitable hallmark of her people fully embracing shared experiences and values. I carry a sense of pride to be identified as a Malaysian.
Anonymous
Being Malaysian means casually using a combination of words from three different languages in a sentence.
Being Malaysian has been tough, especially as of late. Nonetheless, being Malaysian also means selflessly knocking on doors to help those with white flags hoisted outside their homes.
Being Malaysian means caring for your neighbours through peaks and valleys - irrespective of their skin tones, places of worship, or whom they love.
Max
To me, being Malaysian means you only get to represent your cultural identity as a Malaysian, even when you are ethnically Chinese, or more precisely, Han (Chinese is a political identity referring to nationals of China including races like Hui, Tibetan and many more; we get confused thanks to simple-minded colonialism). It also means you experience an identity crisis every time someone wants to exclude Chinese-Han culture from being part of Malaysia, AND when someone wants to exclusively represent Chinese-Han culture.
Abby
Being a Malaysian means growing up with a vast variety of food!
Anonymous
It means having hope for the Malaysia I know we can be despite the unfortunate circumstances tainting the true identity of our country. It is doing what needs to be done for the country despite persistent challenges within the country’s flawed system.
Ilyani
Being a Malaysian to me means that I simply belong to Malaysia, no matter what the future holds for me. No matter where I go, I know I will always find my way back. And, I know I am not speaking only for myself when I say that within this sense of belonging, she and I share a beautiful, unperceived and unspoken bond. Despite how our country may seem to be falling apart, Malaysia will always be my home, and that is why we will never stop trying to save and defend her.
Harshinie
Being Malaysian is to be unique. Malaysia has an intricate blend of cultures and diversity, whisked together to become truly, gloriously, and remarkably sui generis.
Nur Khairunnisa Muzamir Shah
Being Malaysian to me means being able to embrace diversity in expressed opinions, beliefs, and cultures. It is about leaving behind and unlearning toxic narratives that led to the tragedy of 13th May 1969, sadly of which, the dregs are not completely expunged from our society today.
It is about upholding our Rukun Negara, “kedaulatan undang-undang” by providing access to justice and equal treatment to all irrespective of race, religion, and background. Although we have witnessed one too many dark days throughout the past year, I have unwavering faith in my fellow Malaysians to rise above and remain kind to one another.
Adillah
Being a Malaysian is not always as sweet as kopitiam teh tarik. In fact, it can be incredibly bitter, especially in recent times. As our country continues to be plagued with burning issues angering the rakyat daily, we may find ourselves wishing we could just… leave.
Although it is tempting to leave our battered country for the better, I firmly believe being Malaysian means fighting for a stronger Malaysia, prospering in her dazzling diversity, instead of allowing her to crumble because of it.
Indeed, Malaysia is full of potential, but she cannot advance without us Malaysians.
Editorial note: Adillah wanted to talk about mamak sessions and Malaysians being united to protect our food, but she figured that would make a conversation for another day.
What does Independence Day (31 August 1957 for the Federation of Malaya, 31 August 1963 for Sabah & 22 July 1963 for Sarawak) mean to you?
Anonymous
To me, Independence Day is the liberation of our nation from the ‘physical’ shackles of colonialism, only to be anchored by the beliefs and practices of our former colonisers and allowing them to indirectly govern societal changes, undecidedly for the greater good or the lesser evil. At present, it seems to be the latter, and to me, we may have achieved ‘kemerdekaan for Malaysia’, but not ‘kemerdekaan for Malaysians’.
Irsyad Hamilin
Hari Merdeka yang sebenar pada hemat saya ialah bukan setakat kebebasan daripada penjajahan kuasa luar, tetapi juga kebebasan fikiran daripada dijajah oleh pemikiran-pemikiran yang jumud dan kolot. Kita mencapai kemerdekaan yang abadi apabila kita berubah daripada segala perbuatan dan kepercayaan yang bodoh, mematikan akal dan menyekat kemajuan kepada perbuatan dan kepercayaan yang cerdik, membebaskan fikiran dan menggalakkan kemajuan.
Jie Xi
They are historical events calling for remembrance and reflective thoughts. It is especially on these days we should reflect on the progress our country has made and the sacrifices made along the way. We should also think about the future we want for our nation and work together to achieve it.
Anonymous
The start of the journey to forming our own nation.
Awangku Ariff Radhi
Untuk kamek, Ari Merdeka yang kita sambut pada 31 Ogos adalah benda yang baik. Kita patut sambut hari sebuah negara menjadi bebas. Kamek rasa semua orang Malaysia tauk 31 Ogos tok adalah hari Merdeka tapi sik semua tauk yang untuk Sarawak dengan Sabah hari kemerdekaan kita adalah pada tarikh yang lain. Sarawak merdeka pada 22 Julai 1963. Bukan kalau kita keluarga Malaysia, kita senegara patut sambut kemerdekaan masing-masing ka? Bukankah kita patut tauk dan faham sejarah setiap negeri? Dari perspektif kamek, sejarah Sabah dan Sarawak selalu dipinggirkan dan kamek takut akhirnya dilupakan. Duak negeri tok banyak berjasa kepada penubuhan dan kemajuan Malaysia dan sik layak dianaktirikan.
(English translation) To me, the Independence Day we celebrate on the 31st of August is something good. We should always celebrate when a country becomes free. I am sure every Malaysian knows August 31st is our Independence Day, but not everyone knows that Sarawak and Sabah have different dates. Sarawak became independent on 22 July 1963. If we are keluarga Malaysia, should we not as a nation together celebrate each other’s independence? Should we not know and understand the history of the states? From my perspective, the history of Sabah and Sarawak constantly gets sidelined and I fear it will be forgotten one day. These two states have contributed a great deal to the formation and the development of Malaysia and they do not deserve to be ignored.
Anonymous
These historic dates mean more than just annual holidays or parades held. They mark the days in which we came together as one to strive for the right to self-determination. To me, this is the biggest takeaway from our Independence Day. On that day, we became self-governing.
Our failures and successes as a nation depend on the collective effort of all Malaysians. In recognizing structural wins or losses, holding leaders accountable, and standing up for the less fortunate, we have a moral responsibility to make this country just a little better today than it was yesterday.
Aishah H.
Merdeka.
Merdeka.
Merdeka.
Laungan yang sama, tapi membawa makna yang berbeza untuk setiap individu.
Seringkali kita diingatkan,
Biar terpisah di antara Laut China Selatan, jangan dari semangat keharmonian.
Biar berbeza bangsa dan agama, jangan dari makna perpaduan.
Namun,
Jangan kita mendabik dada dengan keharmonian yang hanya indah dibibir.
Jangan kita menidakkan kewujudan sentimen yang membawa kita ke jurang perbezaan.
Jangan sesekali kita menyisihkan teriak dan keperitan mereka yang ditindas oleh ketidakadilan yang tersirat.
Bagi ku,
Hari Kemerdekaan tidak hanya melambangkan kebebasan daripada belenggu penjajah,
Tetapi ia juga merupakan titik baru untuk memupuk dimensi pemikiran yang mencerminkan kesedaran, dan keberanian untuk melawan.
Leezzie
Independence Day to me is the commemoration of culminated sacrifices made by our forefathers in pursuit of the nation's inherent right to live with freedom and dignity.
Anonymous
To celebrate Independence Day is to reflect on the history of colonial rule and to understand its implications. Despite being freed from colonial rule, remnants of colonialism are still present. We are still trying to reconcile different aspects of a post-colonial nation. Many policies are implemented in response to colonial rule, and many laws from the colonial era still remain intact. Particularly, race relations in Malaysia is a byproduct of British colonialism. The MCIO model is still used as the primary marker of difference, assuming dominant discourses against a backdrop of ingrained stereotypes.
Hiral
It is not just another date, but it is the birth of a country where people have cast their differences aside to live together in unity and peace.
What are your hopes for Malaysia?
Kirtana
I hope for more wins for the marginalised communities, especially in terms of eradicating racial tension between people of different walks of life. Equality, a fundamental human right, is necessary for the peace, prosperity and sustainability of a nation. Let us not discriminate against anyone on the basis of their age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or skin tone.
On a side note, the hope for transparent leaders working selflessly for the good of the people lives on.
Anonymous
My hope for Malaysia is to have a government that puts the well-being of the people first, above everything else.
Izzati
I hope there will come a day the spirit of Malaysian unity portrayed when watching the Olympics at the mamak stall or fighting the ‘Best Nasi Lemak in the world’ title would be channelled into - helping those in need regardless of their race, speaking up when a fellow Malaysian of a different race gets discriminated, supporting and being proud of Malaysian representatives on the world stage, as well as preserving our exquisite heritage which makes Malaysia for what she is today.
Kamara
I hope for a Malaysia without walls between her people. We have been living with racial segregation for too long, and for as long as we are divided, we will never become a single united entity. Only when we defy racial, religious and communal schisms, we can focus on the progress of the society and nation as a whole, after all, we are all in the same boat. This is the Malaysia I hope to see.
Anonymous
I hope for us to grow beyond the racial polarisation brought forth by political propaganda. I hope for meritocracy and financial needs to trump the veneer of racial privileges and superiority. I hope Malaysians can start perceiving religion as something personal, instead of being confined, dictated and state-controlled.
Yi Qian
Malaysians must make a conscious effort to unravel the truth behind political agendas along the lines of race, ethnicity, religion, and gender, of the ruling elite. The power we ascribe to these differences causes us to hurl vitriol at each other when the true enemy are those who hoard capital, wealth and power at the expense of the larger society. Discord should not emanate from diversity; I implore my fellow Malaysians to be compassionate and patient in finding commonalities and reconcile with those perceived to be different. You will find that the human condition is, after all, about how we are more alike in our struggles, fears, hopes and values than we think.
Adeline
I hope for a government that cares and prioritises the welfare of the people, especially in the face of the pandemic and tumultuous times.
Seah
I hope Malaysia would become a better place for the people who call it home. I hope for us to do better in providing equal opportunities in education, employment, and many more for the needy, regardless of race, religion, gender, and age. I hope for more transparency and accountability in the government and for it to serve the people. Lastly, I hope Malaysians abroad would return and serve the country during these challenging times. Not only are the futures of our children at stake, but many generations of Malaysians to come.
Anonymous
Malaysia must aim for racial equality in its educational policies.
Surekha
My fervent hope for Malaysia is for politicians to stop paying lip service and playing race politics. I yearn for a home where the dusky complexion of my brothers will not cost them their lives in the hands of the forces of law and order. I wish the gaps between the rungs of the ladder were not as wide as they are for people like me. The sneers and jeers, I long for them to cease, for I can no longer feign ignorance.
My dreams are coloured vivid by a reverie of the promised land, a place I would truly belong and be accepted. Perhaps one day, Malaysia.
Return of the Halcyon Days
During the search for a national anthem in 1955, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the founding father of both Malaya and Malaysia, was quoted as saying:
“We’re not going to war. We don’t need this (referring to sombre compositions depicting a spectre of war looming ahead). We need a love song.”
- Sharifah Menyalara Hussien, ‘Dialog: Thoughts on Tunku’s Timeless Thinking’ (1st edn, Gerakbudaya Enterprise Sdn Bhd, 2017).
Malaysia has been bludgeoned with maladies for far too long. Just as our Bapa Kemerdekaan proclaimed more than half a century ago, Malaysia needs the rhapsodic melody of a love song to encapsulate the spirit of the people, now more than ever.
Togetherness may seem to be a recurring theme, leading up to both Merdeka and the formation of Malaysia and thereafter, but unity will never go out of style. It is instrumental in fighting against rampant corruption, kleptocracy, and institutional discrimination as well as fostering progress in all spheres of life in our nation.
The whole of HAKAM Youth remains optimistic for the state of affairs in Malaysia to take a turn for the better. Sunbeams, they will soon scatter, bringing in promises of a renewed Malaysia, healed of her gaping wounds.
This Malaysia Day, do not abandon all hope for better morrows. Malaysia needs us, her children, to believe unequivocally in her and continue to strive.