Malaysia Day

 Malaysia Day is Now a Holiday!!

Did you read the news? We've got yet ANOTHER holiday to add to our ever growing list of public holidays. This time it's Malaysia Day falling on every 16th Sept of the year. I have actually done any counting, but it sure seems like we actually have more than our fair share of holidays. Lets see, there is (in no particular order):

Hari Raya Hajix 1 days
New Year's Day x 1 day
Hari Raya Puasa x 2 days
Awal Muharram x 1 day
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday x 1 day
Chinese New Year x 2 days
Labour Day x 1 day
Wesak Day x 1 day
King's Birthday x 1 day
Independence Day x 1 day
Deepavali x 1 day
Thaipusam x 1 day
Sultans Birthday x 1 day
Federal Territory Day x 1 day
Christmas Day x 1 day
And now.. Malaysia Day x 1 day

That's about 18 days. And since its supposed to be a 5 day work week, that's almost an entire month off! Malaysians are working only 11 months a year! Rest of the time, we are on holiday...or at home watching TV. That's not even counting annual leaves we take to extend the long weekend, or or the occasional now-you-see-me-now-you-dont-disappearing-act we pull on our bosses sometimes. That that I'm complaining la... who doesn't want another off day right?

For those of you who are either (a) Not Malaysian thus unfamiliar with Malaysian history or (b) A typical Malaysian that hopelessly failed your history paper, listen up. Malaysia Day is supposed to be the day MALAYSIA as we know it today was formed. That thing you celebrate on August 31st is independence day, is called Merdeka. Back in 1957, the British decided to bail out of Malaya and leave us to our own devices after creating a mess in the first place by bringing in people from China and India and segregating them. Our ancestors, Ah Chong from the city, Ali from the Kampung and Muthusamy A/L Ramanathankrishnan from the rubber plantations lived in what was known as Malaya before independence. After independence, we were still strictly known as Federation of Malaya. On 16th Sept 1963, on Lee Kuan Yew's birthday actually, Malaysia was formed, after Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore agreed to joined in the fun. Brunei was also invited to this little gang, but things didn't really work out. See, the Sultan of Brunei wanted to have autonomous rule over their finances and military etc, plus he wanted the rest of the Sultans to call him the King of Kings.. or something like that... The rest of the Sultans weren't amused. I think neither was Jesus. That plus, the peoples of Brunei were a bit jittery about 'them people' from the west side of the south china sea tryin'a tell them what to do. So, Brunei missed the boat, and Malaysia was formed. Indonesia weren't too pleased, and had an undeclared war with us, but we survived. Some years later, Singapore left due to 'irreconcilable differences' but has since living a very successful, albeit paranoid existence.

But yeah.... that, in a nut shell, is what Malaysia day is all about.

Back to the holiday thing, our PM says that this off day is supposed to be spent fostering the 1Malaysia spirit among Malaysians. Don't even get me started on this whole 1Malaysia hype thingy...  But there has been problems and confusion for decades now concerning how Malaysians should celebrate independence or our countries existence for the matter.

On August 31st, West Malaysians tend to celebrate Merdeka while East Malaysians are 'obliged' to celebrate it, even though they know historically this wasn't the day THEY gained independence. They are just playing along and being nice. One country already mah, so be nice la. Give face. 2 weeks later, on 16th Sept, Malaysia day comes, but all the West Malaysians 'no mood' already.... and have to catch up on work after a month of preparing for Merdeka, plus it AINT EVEN A HOLIDAY. Where got mood to celebrate rite? The East Malaysians look at this, and potong steam la.. not to mention get pissed off. "Oooh, I celebrate with you, now you just ditch me la... Bugger you, I should have just join Brunei, at least there, petrol is cheaper and everyone gets a free house...." If I was a East Malaysian, I'd be seriously pissed too.

The celebration of a countries existence or independence has always been one of the most unifying factors for a country. Sadly, there has always been some sentiment that Malaysia Day has not been taken seriously, often overshadowed by West Malaysian celebrations of 'Independence' of Malaysia on Merdeka Day that is neither politically nor historically correct. Maybe it's just another politically motivated move to gain popularity, or maybe he's really serious about it, but out of the blue, almost 50 years down the line, Malaysia Day finally gets it's recognition and is granted as a national public holiday. According to Mr. PM:

Malaysia Day would be celebrated with events that would foster closer unity, understanding between the different races and community success and achievement through sports, social culture and arts.


But frankly la Datuk, this is only half baked effort la.. Not to mention a shameless publicity stunt. Race? What race? This isn't a race issue. Plus, I wasn't aware we were racing anyone. :p Events? What kind of events? Closer ties are fostered in the day to day things you do in life, not some event. It's fostered when people start accepting each other and have a oneness of mind. Not through some publicity driven event i.e. marathon for unity, or climb for peace, teh tarik competition, dance carnival in front of the Agung or or whatever. Those are just called 'syok sendiri' events. It still doesn't change the fact that West Malaysians are still ' celebrating independence on 31st August completely ignoring Malaysia Day. Of course, now that it's a holiday, they'll ignore it even more by just sleeping at home. :-S

So, if you really want to foster closer ties, here's what you should do Datuk:

1. Get rid of August 31st Merdeka Day celebration.
2. Make Malaysia Day 2 days Holiday (Or 3 oso can la, I don't mind)
3. Make Malaysia Day the focal celebration of Malaysian independence and Malaysian existence.

Apamacam? Got balls to do or not? Malaysia boleh mah.....


Let everyone have a oneness of mind. And a single focal date to channel their energies. Educate people. Make them realize that our country today was not born when the late Tunku chanted "Merdeka, merdeka, merdeka" at Stadium Merdeka.... That was just when the water broke and labour pain started leh... It's a milestone yes, but that wasn't it yet la. Malaysia was born when 6 years later, across the sea, the peoples of Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore (as short lived as it stayed) agreed to join us to form this country. What happened in between was strictly labour pains. I know it's less romantic la, and less cool that we were born when pieces of papers were signed instead of when the Tunku chanted independence in front of thousands. But  really, that was when it happened. THAT was when Malaysia was formed. It was ONLY THEN that the term Malaysia was even coined and our country came into being. The sooner we acknowledge that, the better.


And looking at how much contribution the land and the people of East Malaysia has contributed to our nations wealth and prosperity, lets try not to pissed them off too much la, after they REALLY end up joining Brunei..or worse.. Indonesia. Then die la. I got a lot of east Malaysian friends, and I'd still like to enjoy my kolok mee and kampua mee and super fresh seafood once in a while, if you don't mind.

Cheers