Happy Malaysia Day

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To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia...how very true it is. Though the words are few, I'm sure we, as Malaysians understand what they really mean. So, Happy Malaysia Day to one and all. :-)

jennyiyan's recollections...

Happy Merdeka

Tanggal tiga puluh satu, bulan lapan lima puluh tujuh...yes it's here again. Independence day and it's tomorrow. Though it is the fasting month, many programmes have been lined up for this auspicious day.

When I was a child, I had always looked forward to this day. I would wake up early in the morning and sit in front of the tv for the live telecast of the celebration. Those wonderful years...

Few years back we would see people draping and decorating their vehicles with the Jalur Gemilang, to the extent of overdoing it. At times I wondered if their view was ever obstructed with all those tiny flags flapping in the wind as the vehicle moved. Today, I hardly see it anymore and I think it is wise of them not to put their lives in danger.

Some might say it is patriotism. To me, I stand by my belief, that is, it is not in the number of Jalur Gemilang you fly that qualify you to be patriotic. Patriotism comes from within us, a genuine love for the country that is not forced unto us.

A Happy 53rd Merdeka to everyone out there. :-)

jennyiyan's recollections...

Happy Merdeka

In two days, we will be celebrating our independence day. So. I'm taking this opportunity to wish every Malaysian a very Happy 52nd Merdeka.

Well, will it really be a happy one? Malaysia is a peaceful country, then everyone should be a happy citizen, right? There's no war or suicide bombers here to blast people to pieces.

But, if we look closely, we see that it is actually not that peaceful after all. Many things have happened and are happening to put fear in the people. Many have grabbed the headlines but I do not want to talk about them.

What I want to mention here are those that did not reach the media. For example, snatch thefts and kidnapping, which are rampant these days and which are really frightening.

I take for example the place where I live -TTDI. Snatch thefts happen nearly everyday. It is not safe for a person to be walking alone. Even cars parked by the roadside are not spared.

We might think that it is not safe to get down from the car to open the gate manually before we drive in when we reach home. So, we have automatic gates installed. This is also not safe as proven by one incident that happened recently to one of the residents in my neighourhood.

As he was waiting for the gate to open some men appeared with guns. They forced him to open the door and they then grabbed the poor child sitting behind. A ransom of one million was made to have the child back.

All these have not been reported. Why is that so? Don't we trust the police anymore? Well. I think we all know the answer.

We just have to sit back and think and we will see that there are many things that are not right in the country. Not so peaceful, after all. So, since merdeka is just around the corner, we can take this time to ponder and seek what merdeka means to us.

Once again, Happy Merdeka to all.

jennyiyan's recollections...

My BELOVED country...2

It's been some time since I last updated my blog. I just couldn't find the time to do so. Sometimes I marvel at those who can write daily no matter how busy they are. I always wonder how they do it.

Anyway, being busy does not mean that I have lost touch with whatever is happening in the country. We will be celebrating our independence day in less than a month and ever since 31 August 2008 till now, many incidents had happened. I've been pondering about them and wondering where our country is heading to under the present government.

The most recent one had been the anti-ISA march. The authorities claimed that the protesters were disrupting the peace by taking part in the march. From what I (someone who is ignorant where politics is concerned) see, it was a peaceful one until they started firing tear gas and spraying water cannons at the people. All hell broke loose then.

It could have been a peaceful march if only the authorities had allowed them to march and it could have taken only a few hours. Why do they always have to disrupt such gatherings? Even the candle vigil for the late Teoh Beng Hock had to be disrupted. Also, we should not turn up at police stations wearing a certain colour or we'll all have to spend the night at a police lock-up and enjoy free meals, that is, if they decide to allow us some food.

What has happened to the freedom of speech in this country? Does voicing out an opinion which happens to be against what the government wants to hear equate terrorism?

When I look back to last week's incident, I don't deny that I am proud of those who took part in the march. They know what their right is and they are brave enough to show it and the number of people who turned up does imply something. The cowards are those hiding behind the tear gas and water cannons.

Ooopsie...I think I have to stop or else I'll be the next one detained under the ISA for voicing my one cent thoughts and opinions.

jennyiyan's recollections...

51st Merdeka

Tomorrow we will be celebrating our country's 51st merdeka or independence day. Many individulas and agencies have made the necessary preparation for this auspicious event. As usual, there will be parades by the public and private sectors and many school children will also be taking part. Now, what does merdeka actually mean to each and everyone of us? How do we show that we are loyal citizens and that we love our country? What is patriotism? Does draping as many jalur gemilang as possible across the width of our cars show patriotism? Or does flying the flag in our house compound or sticking many tiny jalur gemilang on our vehicles show that we are citizens who love our country dearly? Does criticising the government at times mean that we are not loyal and good citizens? I don't fly the jalur gemilang or drape it across the bonnet of my car but that doesn't mean that I am not patriotic or a loyal citizen and don't love my country. I love the peace in my country and the beautiful people there regardless of their race and religion. I love the fact that I don't have to worry that I might be blown to pieces by a suicide bomber each time I leave my house to go to a shopping complex or an entertainment outlet. I love this peace loving nation. I love to sing the national anthem and all the rest of the patriotic songs. For me, patriotism comes from within the heart. It is a way of life. Patriotism and loyalty to the country cannot be forced onto every individual. He or she needs to understand the true meaning and do it willingly. For example, we can't force a child to stand in attention and respect the raising of the flag when singing the national anthem. He or she should automatically know what he or she should do in such a situation without having to be told to do so. A few days back, my colleagues and I were talking about this. We were pointing out that children nowadays do not love their school as we did when we were in school. If we do not love our school, the institution where we first learn about the history of our country, then how are we going to love and be patriotic and loyal to our country? I remember when we sang the national anthem and all the other patriotic songs including our school song, it was with much pride and admiration that we stood in attention during the singing and the raising of the flag. We took the trouble to memorise the songs and sang with all our hearts. This is what patriotism means to me. Only with this can we learn to love and be loyal to our country. However, everyone is entitled to his or her interpretation of patriotism and loyalty to the country. We might differ in thoughts and opinions but we are one, that is Malaysians. Happy 51st Merdeka!

jennyiyan's recollections...