I HOPE all Malaysians are aware of the 2017 Merdeka Day theme and understand what it means. It has been the same for the last three years except for the addition of the word Negaraku – “Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa”.

In short, I take it that unity is an issue and its severity calls for the retention of the theme. Or is it just another matter of perception?

Let us take a look at some Merdeka Day messages and I will attempt to give my two sen worth towards to end of this article.

In his Merdeka Day message at a townhall session, the prime minister (PM) recalled the time when the country achieved its independence.

““I was born, grew up like other Malaysian children,” he said. Responding to a question from a student, he said it was not easy to be a PM in a country with diverse race, religion and culture, but was proud that the people in the country were able to live in harmony with respect for the constitution and the Rukunegara.

At the same session, a former freedom fighter from Komando VAT 69, shared his experience fighting the enemies to seek independence.

“I can still feel how difficult it was at the battle field in fighting the enemies and watching my colleagues injured and killed,” he said.

In the Merdeka Day message, the PM said his administration did not wish to waste time staving off allegations but would rather remain committed and determined to focus on efforts to spur intensive economic growth for the sake of the people.

“What is important is that the government does not waste time entertaining ‘road diversions’. It is also crucial that the government must be above politics and orient itself towards serving the interests of the rakyat.”

He added that there was no better gift for the rakyat than having a government that had the ability to deliver its promises.

Next, the MCA president played dual role in a six-minute video entitled Citizens just like the late P. Ramlee’s dual role in Anakku Sazali.

The difference is, Citizen is heavily padded with political overtones and Anakku Sazali is all about society. The latter was a 1956 Singaporean melodrama about a father’s extreme love for his son. The son grew up to be rebellious and ended up to be a gang leader and the most wanted gangster in Singapore.

In Citizens, the Liow Tiong Lai portrays himself in his everyday role as a minister and having a conversation with a citizen who is unhappy about the way the country is run. The first two lines summarises the state Malaysia is in today – “The last 10 years have been hard for everyone. I know we haven’t done enough”.

Separately, in a five-minute video, the deputy PM’s message is about patriotism and being Bangsa Malaysia. More than two weeks earlier, he said, “When the British colonised Malaysia, they implemented the ‘divide and rule’ strategy. But when we gained independence, we decided on power-sharing. We should not see this ‘divide and rule’ practice in this country again”.

The MIC president said the theme of this year’s National Day celebrations clearly reflects the importance for all Malaysians to have the spirit of togetherness and to show solidarity towards achieving the aspiration of the country.

The MACC chief urged Malaysians to reject graft. This Merdeka Day and Hari Raya Aidiladha messages are a new norm. He said all Malaysians should have high level of patriotism and not to be easily swayed and driven by greed to the extent of committing graft and abuse of power.

Corruption and abuse of power were a clear betrayal of the people and the country which could be detrimental to the country’s independence.

There are a few more messages but I think the above is enough and it comes from people with influence.

Now, my two sen worth.

Mr PM, it is easy to see that you were not born and grew up like other Malaysian children. Not many people can afford a house at Federal Hill, be it in 1957 and worse, today.

You said it is not easy to be a PM in a country with diverse race, religion and culture, but was proud that the people in the country were able to live in harmony with respect for the constitution and the Rukunegara.

If that is the case, why do we need to keep the theme on unity, with court cases relating to the constitution and instances where there were disregards for the Rukunegara?

We told the world that we gained independence with tact and not force. We now will have to tell the world and change history books based on the VAT 69 Komando experience fighting the enemies to seek independence.

We trust you did not mean what you said about not wishing to waste time staving off allegations (“road diversions”) and to focus on efforts to spur intensive economic growth for the sake of the people.

In our march towards greatness, there are bound to be events that calls for diversions. During our world-class MRT Line 1 construction, the people had to face with many road diversions.

If the authorities or people in power do not give two hoots about the issue, what would have happened? By the way, a good project planner could have minimised diversions. The better ones could even avoid it with proper planning and good engineering solutions.

We fully agree with you that the government must be above politics and orient itself towards serving the interests of the rakyat and deliver its promises. I guess the Citizens video with the script saying “I know we haven’t done enough” is the answer to your statement.

The parting words in Citizen resonate with Malaysians, especially voters. “I believe every citizen and leader wish for a better Malaysia. Provided you follow your conscience, I don’t mind which party you support. I earnestly urge you to, once again, believe in Malaysia.”

These statements sound apologetic but we cannot afford to be making it “hard for everyone and at the same time haven’t done enough” for 10 years running while saying we are moving towards the vision of a united, strong, and successful nation.

Another statement that resonates well with Malaysians will be that of the deputy PM when he said, “We should not see this ‘divide and rule’ practice in this country again”. When the British colonised Malaya, they implemented this strategy.

As for the MIC president, I wish he could say more for next year.

The MACC chief is truly a trend-setter. I like his statement on patriotism and greed leading to committing graft and abuse of power which is a clear betrayal of the people and the country. It is an obvious statement and hope he is really serious and directing it to all Malaysians from the rakyat up to the PM level.

I do hope that other chiefs like from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), National Unity & Integration Department, Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and other agencies and departments to prepare messages for next year.

It was in April that the PM said freedom of speech and of the press is thriving in Malaysia and people are free to criticise the government.

For the director of the Citizens video, it needs some editing because the Jalur Gemilang was fixed upside down like what happened in the 29th Sea Games.

Datuk Seri Liow, you would make life difficult and put to shame many other professional actors and I am sure when you decide to leave the political arena, there will be something waiting for you.

Now, do you think my two sen worth will be sending wrong signals on our Merdeka Day messages?

What say you… – September 1, 2017.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.