Happy 49th, Malaysia!
Unfortunately, this Merdeka (Independence) Day is marred by irresponsible racial politicking by UMNO Youth only 2 days before.
Thanks for nothing, Khairy. I’ll blog more on that later.
Anyway, back to Merdeka. Lemme see what can I still remember about my former country’s Independence from the Brits.
Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first PM, declaring Malaysia’s Independence, by raising his hands and shouting “Merdeka” 3 times
Obviously, Malaysia gained Independence from the British Empire on the 31th of August, 1957. Unlike many other British colonies at that time, Malaysia’s independence was gained bloodlessly. The independence movement wasn’t at all militaristic, unlike the Indonesian’s or the Vietnamese’s. Nor was it marred by violence on the part of the British, like the Indian’s struggle for Independence.
It was practically ‘given’ to the Malaysians by the Brits, when they realised that they can no longer sustain their Empire. Better to part with their Malaysian colony on amicable terms to ensure future good relations, than to try to crush the Independence movement, they said. And they were right. Malaysia has adopted various British imports after Independence, from their Westminster parliamentary political system, to the Common Law legal system, to their language even. Plus, just look at how many Malaysian students are sent to the UK for their tertiary education each year.
And like what BN never lets us forget, Independence was granted by the British after Malaysia observed one of their major conditions: The formation of a stable political coalition encompassing all the major races there to take over power. The Alliance (predecessor of BN), with UMNO, MCA and MIC was that coalition. I’ve read before that it was very nearly Dato Onn Jaafar’s multiracial IMP (Independence for Malaya Party) which could have been granted that price. Early on in its formation, Dato Onn tried to coax the then MCA’s President, Dato Tan Cheng Lock, to join his party in order for IMP to have a better representation of Malaysians. But he was too late as Tan Cheng Lock and MCA had by then already become a member of the communalist Alliance.
What a pity huh?
Anyways, Selamat Hari Merdeka then Malaysia!
Merdeka merdeka merdeka!
Comment by Neo — August 31, 2006 @ 7:51 am