Of Fireworks & Independence

30th August 2007. The eve of our 50th Merdeka celebration. The rain started pouring some time ago. I wish it'd stop - I really want to watch fireworks with Daphne. Anyways, just taking some time to blog before I get ready to go out. Here I am, in front of my computer, listening to Paper Lace's The Night Chicago Died. Somehow, this milestone that my country is reaching sparks something within.

To say I'm patriotic is a lie. But this Merdeka is seriously different. For the first time, I can feel the anticipation of the coming day, the excitement to celebrate Merdeka with citizens in the country. And yes, honestly I can say, I can't wait to watch fireworks, and count down to 31st August 2007 at the field opposite my school. Guess, (though I hate to admit this), I love my country after all.

Recently, I read an article in the New Straits Times written by Brian Yap, on what being Merdeka means to him. I agree on most of the points mentioned especially when Brian pointed out that, in truth, there's NOTHING special about Malaysia at all. Talk about durians? They are found in neighbouring countries. Multi-ethnicity? Some countries are even more diverse than us. Our moderate view as a country with Islam as the national religion? Turki's an Islamic country, and her views are moderate as well.

So what makes Malaysia special after all? What Brian pointed out was that, it is US, the citizens, the individuals in this country, that makes Malaysia a unique, and special country. Yes, we should appreciate what our forefathers did in fighting for Independence. But the very fact that most of us don't even exist during that time only shows that there's nothing to gloat about after all, over the achievements and everything. We did not contribute to anything leading to our country's freedom, so how can we take credit for anything? Let us instead look at the present. How can we continue to live, to create a legacy, like what our forefathers did. It's time for us to change some of our attitudes, and to realise the fact that Malaysia is only special, because of the people themselves that dwell here.

Fireworks. I love them. Especially when you're enjoying it with someone you love. Tonight is a special night for me. For Daphne. I'm excited, happy, and looking forward. I'll be meeting my childhood pals, Andrew & Vincent, too. Somehow, with all this, I cannot but for a moment forget the anxiety of my upcoming STPM trials.

Happy 50th Independence Day, Malaysia. <3

Laws & Crimes

Alas, our last resort, our final hope, where we thought we could speak freely, is now under scrutiny. Due to recent controversies such as Raja Petra's blog post ( http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/ ), Namewee's rap version of Negaraku ( you can find it in Youtube ), the government has decided that new cyber laws need to be enacted in order to retain the "peace & harmony" in the country.

Peace and harmony? Laws? One look at the Malaysian Judiciary system is more than enough to say it all. The number of criminals that escaped the punishment they deserve, is infinite. What happened to Canny Ong's case? Anyone received duly what they deserve? Altantuya's case? Crap proceedings, nonsense, everyday, which only sore your eyes. Where is the justice? Why do criminals go unpunished?

Instead, higher authorities decide to take action against relatively smaller crimes. Or are they even crimes in the first place? Let's use Namewee as example ( any of you who knows Mandarin, do watch the video in Youtube which he directed ). This guy here, has done nothing wrong at all. All he wanted to do was to voice his opinions on certain issues in Malaysia. And creatively, he made a rap version of Negaraku to serve this purpose. And all he got was? Hot soup and trouble. Have we ever stop for a moment to think about the constitution-protected and sensitive issues which we are not allowed to touch? To speak about? To debate over? This "untouchables" ( as I called it ), are they really protected in order that peace and harmony in this country be retained? So that the May 13th 1969 Tragedy do not occur again? Or is it because of some deeper reasons - that is if one really stands up to these issues, one's reason would win?

I'm young, I do not want to get in trouble. The blogosphere is not safe anymore. No longer can we speak our thoughts, or unleash our dissatisfaction. In years to come, I believe freedom of speech can no longer be fully expressed in this country. We're definitely suffocating. Somebody, do something.