EDIT: Okay, fine. I won't be an arse. Happy Merdeka, fellow Malaysians...our country has now reached it's 48th birthday, and we're proud to say, even without them Brits, we're still standing =). In fact, we're growing faster than ever. We've got a sattelite up in space, we've got broadband, we've got cable, we've got cyber cafe's, we've got Nuclear Plants, we've got dotA, and best of all my family had sparkling and peanuts to celebrate this very, very, very memorable event.
But think again. Our satellite was BOUGHT from other countries, not made by us. And broadband's bandwith is not from Malaysia either...it's from Hong Kong. And why do we watch cable? Because malaysia's film industries still SUCK. I turn on TV3 once in awhile and all I see is...malay woman eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then sleep, visit husband at work, and more eating. Oh, plus driving around with Proton Cars too.
As much as we say we're 'free', it sure doesn't seem that way, does it? The luxuries we have, are from other countries. Name me one electronical device in your house that is a Malaysian brand. None.
Vision 2020 doesn't look that good if we're still depending on other countries for goods and stuff like these. We may be 'free' from invaders, but our mind is still controlled by foreign influences. Our local newspapers buy it's International News from Reuters, did you know that? What our contry knows, is based on what is given. We don't FIND OUT or PRODUCE. We buy from people. We don't make.
Then there's the thought about freedom. As much 'rights' as we citizens have, it's sad to say, it isn't much. We're not allowed to questions things like "Why is it that the Bumiputera act is un-confrontable? Isn't the natives of this lan the Ibans and Kadazans, not the Malays?"
If anyone was to question the goverment, they'd probably be locked up for 'going against the country.'
And then there's freedom from tradition. Malaysia has this ideology that "Unlike other countries, WE HAVE MORAL VALUES." Pretty much bullshit in my opinion. Relationships between neighbours are close to zero, and people have no respect for public property as well. While walking, I'd see rubbish here, signboards broken and walls vandalized. In countries like America, these things would be dealth with IMMEDIATELY. But not in dear old Malaysia. Reaction takes like half a year, and the cops are as corrupted as the criminals themselves. Our "boleh-lah" attitude, or "anything goes", is a lump in the arse of our society.
And now, about GENUINE freedom. I'm sure all of you think "Uh. Yay, merdeka. Can I go back to my com now, mom? Badawi's done cheering." That would be because we've never felt oppression, and to have our lives controlled by others, not ourselves. No freedom to decide what is what, or how to do things.
48 years ago, our country was no more a country, but more of a PROPERTY. Imagine being born as another's property. No freedom, and to obey what they do. Why was our ancestors so eager for freedom? Why is it that even without flashy lights that we have these days, or loudspeakers, 48 years ago, when Tunku Abdul Rahman announced our country was free, were the cheers LOUDER then anything we've had ever since. Because they understood, and savoured it. Only those that have not tasted it, can value the true meaning of freedom.
But once again, are we really that free?
I read Jade's blog, and it seems she's so worried about her father finding out she's a Christian, like he'd tear her Bible to shreds if found.
So if a person, even within her family, is not given the freedom of Faith and Believe, what point is there to say we are free? We ALL deserve a right to believe in whatever we want, be it Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu or Islam. I can understand that her father wishes only the best for her in his believe. But ah, that's what it is. HIS believe. She has her own, and he has his.
To say that MY FAITH is true, and pushing, or FORCING it upon others, is a mockery of our so called 'freedom'. Everyone has a right. Jade's father should RESPECT the fact that Jade has a purpose in life, and not go against it(if found).
We hate one another because of our differences. We're afraid that the ways of others would wipe out ours, so we mock one another, by so making us feel more confident of ourselves. But in the end, there will be nothing.
Malaysia is physically freed. But what holds us back is NOT other countries, but ourselves. We need to change, Malaysia.
Happy Merdeka to everyone, black, brown, yellow, tall, short, female, male, young and old.
We are one.
Luzzio pms-ed at 01:58 am
luzzio September 2, 2005 11:39 PM PDT Let's just say that I love my country more than foreign countries.
But unlike you, I am not blinded by raw patriotism until I do not dare admit the flaws of my country, and respect that others have achieved better.
But that's not to say I'm not trying to change it. I love Malaysia. It's my homeland.
Thanks for being open anyway. I'm all for comments like yours =)
dksn September 2, 2005 01:13 PM PDT stop complaining bout this country. if u wan 2 see change in malaysians' attitudes,start with yours. it's young ppl like u who always worship n idolise western countries when no country is perfect. i'm not trying 2 say that everything in malaysia is picture perfect, but i proud of it anyway, faults and all.
dowacks September 1, 2005 01:57 PM PDT well i dunno about jade's father, but many ppl (parents) will take it very seriously, maybe even more than just tearing the bible into shreds. We can only wish that ppl are more accepting...esp when it comes to religion... sigh
Z August 31, 2005 10:05 PM PDT He's her dad. Ok he might mind but he shouldn't get angry or mad at her for it. He should understand that it's Jade's choice. But i'm not religious so i guess not everyone thinks that way?
xiao August 31, 2005 10:00 PM PDT OH trust me.. people get worked up the most because of religion. The biggest wars between countries was/is/forever gonna be because of religion.
So, don't say he won't mind =)
Z August 31, 2005 09:14 PM PDT Yeah from what i heard from sean, when he was in australia, not a single piece of little on the streets. So clean.
And new generations not really caring much about Merdeka. Makes me wonder what the next generation of Malaysian politicians are gonna be like.
Yeah Jade your dad shouldn't really mind you being a Christian. Dont have to be scared.
Oh well.
luzzio August 31, 2005 07:09 PM PDT anonymous: huh huh...thanks
ryn: =) yup, thanks. Corrected.
ryn August 31, 2005 04:11 AM PDT u mean 48th birthday, not 49th.
anonymous August 31, 2005 03:04 AM PDT Well said! FREEDOM, Malaysia!
