One hell of a birthday bash

It was a grand celebration last night for our nation's 50th Independence. (Merdeka!) When I woke up and turned on the TV, it was awesome. Sights and sounds. Oh, I stayed up the night before, just to watch the countdown. But it was rather disappointing. Why? Tension was high, people gathered all round the Dataran Merdeka, countdown starts, 10! 9! 8! all the way to 1! and then ------- there was a short clip, people shouted, and the first thing they did was raise the flag. ==" moment of silence ensued. Well okay, I respect the priority of raising the flag first. Symbolises important things. But really, it cramped my style. They should've just let hell run loose and yell Merdeka! to kingdom come.


Yet, last night's grand celebration was awesome. Sights and sounds, lights and colours, the dance, cultural performance. It was great seeing it on TV. I understood that it took 18000 participants to make it happen. Yeap, a grand 18000. Hundreds involved in the band performance already. In all, it was great. I actually sang along. The patriotic song was really catchy. There was this new song called My Glorious Malaysia.


50 years. What have we achieved? It remains a question. I saw this really meaningful article about Tunku Abdul Rahman's struggle for independence for Malaya. Here's an excerpt as an ending to this post:-

"Here was Malaysia's first Prime Minister. Father of Independence. Prince of Men. King of Hearts. Asking nothing for himself. And everything for the people.

What a patriot. What a man. What a sacrifice. A sacrifice made together with those he unreservedly called his 'brothers' and 'sisters' for the country. For us.

After 50 years, it's time for us to look into the mirror and ask one simple but profound question. Are we worth it?"

Kinda pokes fun at us.. doesn't it?