‘The blessing of independence should be appreciated, where we can live comfortably, harmoniously and prosperously and tolerate establishing relations between races.’
– Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
When I switched on my handphone early Friday morning, I was pleasantly surprised.
There was a photo and short video of my very young grandson smiling broadly and waving two Malaysian flags in his hands.
I checked his attire and saw he was wearing a beige coloured traditional Chinese male costume, usually known as the Zhongshan suit, also known as the Mao suit.
‘‘Merdeka Day celebration at school today,’’ my daughter-in-law informed me.
“The teachers really believe in instilling Malaysian patriotism in children from a young age,” I said to myself.
I wonder how much my grandson learnt about patriotism that day. But one thing’s for sure. He definitely had lots of fun waving the colourful Malaysian flags, listening to Malaysian patriotic songs and looking at the colourful traditional costumes of his friends from other races.
My grandson’s playschool and many other schools had apparently decided to hold their National Day celebrations earlier because of the school holidays which will begin on August 28 and last until September 2.
I learnt from a colleague that Friday, his children’s school also held a National Day celebration. His daughter wore a Bidayuh national costume to school while his son, who was performing, wore the uniform of a choir member.
He reported his children came home very happy and energetic from the celebration. They also ate well at the event because their school sponsored a lot of food.
Dressing up in traditional costumes at a National Day celebration is good because it allows the children to embrace the multiracial diversity of Malaysia.
I give my grandson’s playschool the thumbs up for instilling the spirit of patriotism and love for nation in him and his little friends. I also salute all the schools throughout the nation for taking the trouble to make the National Day unforgettable for their students.
Long after they have left school, I’m sure these young boys and girls will treasure lovely memories of the National Day celebration.
Early exposure to patriotism also allows the children to appreciate Malaysia better. When the spirit of patriotism is ingrained in them, it can be their guiding light later on in life.
Why does Malaysia celebrate National Day? It is basically to commemorate the history and struggles of our forefathers who fought hard for independence. We must never forget that the peace and harmony we enjoy today are the results of the struggles and sacrifices made by our forefathers.
The exciting activities that are organised every year remind us not only of our country’s independence but also the indomitable and courageous spirit of our forefathers who made it possible.
Some politicians from Sarawak think there is no need for us to celebrate National Day on August 31 because that was the day (in 1957) that Malaya broke free from the rule of the British Empire.
They point out that Sarawak was granted self-government by the British on July 22, 1963 and that our state subsequently became one of the founding members of Malaysia which was established on September 16, 1963.
But I think we should celebrate National Day. We should be happy together with Malaya which became independent on August 31, 1957. After all, our Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is part of the Unity Government of Malaysia.
This year’s grandest National Day celebration is in Dataran Putrajaya in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s third federal territory, after Kuala Lumpur in 1974 and Labuan in 1984.
I can’t wait to catch the live telecast of the parade on YouTube or TV.
At the celebration, students will be creating human formations of the Demi Malaysia, Tekad Perpaduan and Malaysia MADANI logos. The human formation performance that fills the opening component will be accompanied by the National Day 2023 theme song, “Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan”.
The participants will comprise Form Two, Three and Four students who have been selected to represent 47 schools around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. They have been practising hard for the day since July.
These human formations are just one of the heart-stopping performances on that day. There will also be stunts, march-past by the various contingents and performances of Malaysia’s top artistes.
If I were in Putrajaya, I would love to be at Dataran Putrajaya in person that day.
For weeks now, the Jalur Gemilang (our Malaysian flag) has been been flying high in many places including government buildings and schools in the country.
In Sarawak, the Jalur Gemilang Merdeka Convoy has been going from town to town, encouraging the public to fly the national flag.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to show pride in the country by flying the Jalur Gemilang, symbol of the greatness of our country and to show our love for the country by practising pure values in our lives everyday.
I am looking forward to the public holiday on August 31 and I wish you all a Happy National Day in advance.
