THERE have been different interpretations on how we achieved Merdeka. You may have your own version, so too heroes, but what does Merdeka mean?

Derived from the Sanskrit ‘maharddhika’ (meaning rich, prosperous and powerful), Merdeka means independent or free.

Merdeka Day commemorates the Malayan Declaration of Independence, free from British colonial administration.

Every year we are reminded of the sacrifices and contributions of our forefathers but is that all? Celebrate the independence and freedom from the British?

How about Merdeka ourselves from the self-serving motives and harmful desires of some politicians (including their die-hard supporters)?

Surely, we also want peace and harmony and what must we do to ensure the balance. The last few years have shown that we need to free ourselves from politicians with their “retarded” approach to governance.

We not only need to contain it but also prepare our readiness against major national issues, future pandemics and conflicts.

Last week’s political instability not only negatively affect the Bursa but social media came alive with hate messages including old videos trying to push a candidate of their choice.

Stories about the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960) surfaced. I heard about the atrocities from my late father and parent-in-law.

I understand why some hate the Japanese, communists and the British, but the hate for the communists does not seem to fade.

Portugal made the first European colonial claim on Malaysia in 1511, capturing Malacca. The Dutch East India Company and local allies pushed Portuguese from Malacca in 1641. Later, the British came.

In 1941, Japan bombed Singapore and Kota Baru. During the Japanese occupation, exports were stripped, nationalism grew and ethnic tensions exacerbated.

Japan’s so-called sook ching (purification through suffering) campaign leads to the death of 80,000 ethnic Chinese in Malaya and Singapore.

During the Malayan Emergency and influenced by Cold War politics, ethnic Chinese communist guerrillas maintained an insurgency from the jungle.

It was eventually suppressed by British and Commonwealth forces (the Briggs plan). It was a military plan, in which many of the practices were prohibited by the Geneva Convention and customary international law, for example the destruction of property must not happen unless rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.

Remember Palestine, also the doing of the British.

The point is now: when the ideology of atrocity enters the bloodstream of a society, do we ignore it or adopt it?

Political discourses generally highlight differences and treat it as a problem and not an advantage. Thank God there were some intellectual discourses from a private TV station where experts were invited.

I wonder why they were not consulted earlier.

We also saw political bargaining. ‘No this, no that, will support if…’ and many others.

Are these the rakyat’s wishes? Even the Agong has made known his views. 

Everyone needs to abide laws and rules as they apply to all, but it seems that politicians already achieved their Merdeka from these laws and rules.

Today, our purchasing power has fallen, many are unemployed, the value of ringgit has plunged and ratings have been downgraded.

What then is the level and value of our Merdeka? Economic freedom is a key component in a nation’s progress.

We had 1Malaysia but we are more divided now. With a shared history, we should come together with a common destiny and goal, but we end up growing apart.

We should develop empathy, openness and understanding and not harp on sentiments. More important, we should be non-judgmental.

Both sides of the political divide are parties to this division. Other countries are moving forward and we are still discussing these issues.

For how much longer do we want these issues to plague us? Will our grandchildren be in the predicament?

Is it a choice or our responsibility to correct it or leave it to the politicians? We can give benefit of the doubt to our ‘concerned’ (Prihatin) politicians and make a decision about them come GE15.

So, is Merdeka just another public holiday? Let us pray to Allah for a better Malaysia.

What say you…?

Selamat Hari Merdeka to Malaysians. – August 26, 2021.

* 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.