NST : INTERMISSION: Far from perfect but we can still work on it
Uncle Yap
31 August 2005
INTERMISSION: Far from perfect but we can still work on it
Zainul Arifin
AS a multiracial, multi-religious country we have quite a few national
holidays, but the one that matters most to the nation is today. As we
celebrate Merdeka, likely lounging at home or crawling through
shopping malls, we often hear talk of Malaysians largely having
forgotten the meaning of Merdeka.
That is true, and the awareness of what Aug 31, 1957, was all about
will likely wane further in future. That is inevitable, I think, as
time has that effect on our memories.
It is not inconceivable that in future Merdeka will likely be summed
up by the image of Tunku Abdul Rahman with his right hand in the air
shouting "Merdeka", and nothing more.
Just like impressionist paintings of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence for the United States, or the storming of the Bastille
for the French, the historic pictures of what went on that Merdeka
morning 48 years ago would be taken out from our archives, dusted and
reproduced whenever Aug 31 nears.
Malaysia is a young country and we still have among us those who
fought for Merdeka, hence the annoyance over the lackadaisical
attitude of the younger set over what to them was a moment of personal
and national triumph.
But that is life. We remember birthdays and anniversaries, and often
skip those in between. We remember them and are thankful that we are
still alive to celebrate them, but rarely do we dwell upon what
happened in the past except in sentimental moods.
Why would the young look back at the small mercies of yesterday when
they live lives of abundance now? We should not expect them to do so,
nor begrudge them if they show lack of enthusiasm for this historic
day. Merdeka, after all, has been their birthright and they know of no
other.
Does it mean that the young are less appreciative of the things they
have today? Perhaps, but many show their patriotism and appreciation
in different ways, even if the jingoistic fervour of flag-waving is
absent.
Making the most of our nation’s independence is perhaps the best way
the younger generation has honoured and appreciated the sacrifices of
our founding fathers. In trying to make themselves, their families and
their communities better, they are in fact saying a big thank you to
the founding fathers for making all things possible.
When we took charge of our lives, our parents often told us to do
better than they did. As much as we remember the past, our eyes have
been trained since small to be fixed on the future. What can we do to
make our children and grandchildren live even better?
But it is also true that some people just don’t care about Aug 31, or
the values of Merdeka, except that it is just another day off from
work and school.
This I blame on how history is taught in our schools. Our history
books are staid and colourless, filled with dates and events that fail
to connect children to the meaning of nationhood.
As a nation, we fail in our grade in history. There is no interest in
history, ours or the rest of the world’s. Some say our history
faculties in the universities are in danger of dying. Everyone wants
to be a doctor, lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc, but not many want
to be historians, it seems. What good is a history degree anyway?
We are a nation in a hurry, in danger of hastily leaving our history,
including historical baggage, behind for only the interested few. We
seem to have lost the interest and ability to look back and reflect,
warts and all, about who we were and how we got here.
We have failed to discuss and dissect events of years ago. I believe,
collectively, we have subconsciously decided that dwelling in the past
is not productive. Productivity — now that’s the buzzword for the new
Malaysia.
The famous quote of people not learning from history will be damned to
repeat the mistakes of the past is true. And we should not forget
that. We must remember that the road to nationhood is long and that
the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is but a pit stop in an
endless journey.
History should be our rudder, guiding us along in calm waters and
choppy seas. That way, we shall always stay the course.
Let us re-write our school history books. Let us not just tell
students what happened, but why they happened and how they affected
our journey into nationhood.
Our independence was not as bloodless as many of us believe. Our
history should show us that. Many perished and suffered in the
country’s formative years. The young Malaya was threatened by internal
insurgents and saboteurs, and the young Malaysia was nearly bullied by
a powerful neighbour. It is, by the grace of God, the will of the
people and the help of friends from abroad that got us through to
where we are today.
The cobbled fragility of the country was plain for all to see, but the
sheer determination in a common pursuit of independence and the right
to self-determination got us through. We are a nation built on shared
values and compromises. We do not have a common enemy, only a common
wish. Is Malaysia perfect? Well, far from it. Like most marriages, we
still have to work at it.
*************From Uncle Yap**************
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