We are living in one of the most peaceful countries in Asia. A multi-racial nation rich with different cultures, customs and a variety of food that is compared to none in the world. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, now Bangladeshis and off late Ghurkas from Nepal reside on our shores today. Besides the last two having joined us more recently, we have all lived side by side in peace and harmony for the most part of the last 51 years since Independance.
Peace is usually taken for granted as we claim that it is our right to have it. Well it is actually but how we handle delicate and sensitive issues relating to each other's customs and religion would determine how long we will enjoy this peace. We have history to fall back on and learn from. Once this peace that we have grown accustomed to is corrupted and destroyed, it will take generations to mend. Life is too short and the stakes are too high for us to gamble with it.
I miss the times when the only difference that mattered between us was religion. The fact that we were Malay, Chinese or Indian were almost insignificant because everyone then didn't step on each others' toes and knew their limits. Today, I don't see children of different races playing with each other in the playground anymore. It's pathetic how it has become.
The spirit that was forged between Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tan Cheng Lock and V.T Sambanthan has faded and strangely, it has done so rather rapidly in the last four years .
Below are pictures of the 50th Merdeka Anniversary Celebration that I organized at the Danga Bay in Johor that I would like to share with you which brought family members of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V.T. Sambanthan together. Through them, I felt the spirit of comraderie of the Merdeka era come back to life that my eyes swelled up on stage while handing them portraits of their respective patriarchs with the Malaysian Flag flying behind each of them.
YM Tunku Muinuddin Putra Ibni Tunku Dato Ahmad Nerang. Grandson of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
Madam Kunjari Tun Sambanthan, daughter of Tun V.T. Sambanthan.
Madam Tan Siok Choo, Grandaughter of Tun Tan Cheng Lock, daughter of Tun Tan Siew Sin and the Patriot himself.
In their veins flow the blood of true Patriots.
While the pioneers of Merdeka worked towards getting us closer together, those that came after them one after the other spread us apart making us aliens with one another. While it was the responsibility of our leaders to promote peace and harmony in this blessed land, the burden is now left on us to secure it. So let us salvage what is left of the Merdeka spirit and build on it to ensure a better future for all Malaysians. We can begin by appreciating, understanding and respecting our Constitution. Reflect on it.
MERDEKA!
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