

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Each year the shouts of independence echo from every nook and corner of the country on August 31 to mark Merdeka Day or Independence Day. August 31st, Malaysia will be celebrating its 48th year of independence. People from all walks of life will be celebrating Hari Kebangsaan (National Day) in their own manner. Veterans, who actually fought for independence would celebrate perhaps with a prayer, to Malaysia's future and perhaps to their fallen comrades. The generation who were born before 1957, would remember the anticipation of the country achieving independence. The generation post independence will celebrate National Day as it is today,with performances being organized to usher the stroke of midnight. Party revellers would party all night long. From humble prayers and supplications to mad parties, Malaysians around the world will be proud of the nation's 48th birthday.
Well, i must say this year when celebrating National Day, i could feel the glorious. Yeah! Thanks to my history text book. It is really meaningful to learned how of the struggle to obtain independence. Apart from Dato' Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak, there are other figures who sacrificed their time, energy and even their lives towards independence.
But, it really make me sick when im watching some commercial break that asking local artist what is meaning of Independence to them? I don't have to tell you what is their answer. You know the answer. Duh! They thought Merdeka is something like we free from all kind of colonize. Geez! They absolutely wrong! If you realize, the more our country modern, the more our social life and cultural change and become forgotten. Herm, and im still wondering, where all the shyness inside Malaysians have gone? And, no wonder why our Prime Minister, Pak Lah exclaim his people to look at the east not the west. Bcoz, as you can see now, physically we're still Malaysians, yeah, east's people but inside? Who knows? Most of Malaysians's minds have been colonize again by the west.
Herm, somehow i feel all these stuff, i mean the declaration, Merdeka are wasteful. Yeah, coz nowadays only the veteran generation really appreciate what Independence is but the younger? I don't know. I don't care. I don't bother. Maybe there is, but it is so little aite? I think, if our former Prime Ministers still able to breath they must be really so sad. How come we can easily turn our minds AGAIN to the west?
Well, ask yourself. Anyway, 48 years, we Malaysians have really come a long way, how very much we've achieved. I am truly proud and glad to be living in this country. To all you Malaysians out there, have a happy National Day! And, i would like dedicate this poem to all Malays out there! Don't you ever forget your origin!
MELAYU MUDAH LUPA
Melayu mudah lupa
Melayu mudah lupa
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya dipijak
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya retak
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya teriak
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya haprak
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya kelas dua
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya hina
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya sengketa
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya derita
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya kerdil
Melayu mudah lupa
Dulu bangsanya terpencil
Melayu mudah lupa
Tiada daulat
Tiada maruah
Tiada bebas
Melayu mudah lupa
Melayu mudah lupa
Melayu mudah lupa
Sejarah bangsanya yang lena
Tanah lahirnya yang merekah berdarah
Ingatlah
Ingatlah
Ingatlah
Wahai bangsaku
Jangan mudah lupa lagi
Kerana perjuanganmu belum selesai...
By Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad