The independence of Merdeka

We celebrate our National Day, Merdeka in a few days’ time. Yet, if social media is used as an accurate yardstick of local sentiment, Malaysians appear more concerned about supporting or criticising Bersih than they are of celebrating 58 years of nationhood.

This is both encouraging and discouraging at the same time.

Encouraging because this means even more Malaysians are taking an interest in national political goings-on and are willing to stand up and be counted. Discouraging because the zeal to celebrate Merdeka as existed in yesteryears appears to look like it has diminished.

What happened?

Nothing seems to escape politics these days. Not even things that are, by convention, above and beyond politics, for example, sports.

The Selangor government, for instance, cheekily went with the “Kita Lawan” slogan just after the re-arrest of Anwar Ibrahim for the Sukma games. Of course, when asked, they denied any political intention but the coincidence in timing seems a bit too... coincidental. 

Merdeka too, seems to have been dragged into the political equation.

As subservient to the government as the Ministry of Information has always been, never in history has it been as sycophantic as it was since 2009.

That year, the new prime minister wasted no time in inserting his 1Malaysia slogan into everything. From annual celebrations in government linked companies, to events in the various ministries, to naturally, the National Day Celebrations.

So, for the past four years, we had "1Malaysia" in our Merdeka celebrations, culminating in the ultimate "syok sendiri" slogan in 2012 – “1 Malaysia: Janji Ditepati”, which was also his election slogan.

And now, not to be outdone, the DAP-led Penang government adopted the somewhat controversial "Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah" as its slogan for this year's Merdeka Day.

This retro slogan, according to the state government, was a tribute of sorts to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his slogan at the beginning of his 22-year tenure as prime minister, in 1981.

Except even Dr Mahathir never used that slogan for any of his Merdeka Day themes.

To say the word "Bersih" is no reference to the widely-publicised rally that is supported by the main two parties ruling the state, and that will coincide with the date of Merdeka, is a bit hard to believe.

Not especially if you already have a state government slogan, CAT, which pretty much has a similar meaning. The desire of the state government to have their own slogan after “Janji Ditepati” is understandable. But this year’s national-level slogan, "Sehati Sejiwa" is quite neutral. And apt too, considering the state of race relations we are in.

To Penang’s credit, this was quickly resolved, leaving the celebrations intact and those who worked hard to put it together, able to breathe easy again.

But is there anything wrong in associating causes, like Bersih with Merdeka?

Personally, I think not.

Bersih is after all demanding things all Malaysians should be demanding. It’s neither a terrorist organisation nor a criminal one. All things equal, everyone should support it.

But in this writer's humble opinion, the choice to support it should be an individual one.

As a responsible government, either Federal or state, holding a taxpayer-funded celebration of Merdeka should be as inclusive as possible and not the other way round.

Governments must realise that while not everyone supports their political stances, they do have a duty to include these people in their policies and plans. As the Federal opposition, DAP should be very aware of this, having spent years being alienated by the Federal government in the Merdeka celebrations, despite Pakatan Rakyat holding all but one Federal Territory seat.

However, there is nothing wrong in associating Bersih with Merdeka on an individual or personal level.

The authorities should not be picking on those who do so. No one, least of all the government holds a monopoly on Merdeka. Or that would defeat the very meaning of Merdeka – being independent to choose. Choosing a cause to fight for. Choosing to freely assemble to express that cause.

As long as the word is used respectfully, it should be allowed.

Every political party in Malaysia has their own beliefs and stances. As do the many organisations we are home to.

But before every assembly, the first song is always the Negaraku, and the first flag raised is always the Jalur Gemilang. Because we are all Malaysians first.

No one should have a monopoly on our country or our National Day.

Selamat Hari Merdeka. – August 26, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.