31st August is a public holiday. The norm on this date is the big merdeka parade we watch on TV. Not many is willing to let go their morning sleep and brave through the crowd at Dataran Merdeka to witness the parade live. Watch it on TV is much preferred. Live also mahhh.....I personally like the 'acara padang'. The many formations, surely they have practised for months. kesian budak2 tu.
If we were to ask our children what do they know about kemerdekaan, they would repeat those words which they learn from text books or repeat from what others are saying. Hey, dont forget, the local media is another point of reference. Merely paroting it. Do they truly understand it? blink....blink....
What do we know about kemerdekaan? I think we have taken it for granted far too long. We look forward to 31st August as it is a public holiday, extra rest day. The rest of it, well...u know...lepak and watch tv (they have special programmes for merdeka, u know), shopping, outing with friends or maybe some other chores. i'm talking about me la....
I remember when as a child and my parents were still around, they would be busy with their political activities. Those 'kapal layar' badges were all over our house. My parents were active loyal supporters of our political leaders. It is unfortunate that i did not have the opportunity to learn and understand how it was then. Really understand it. Even I, post merdeka child, read all the struggle for independence from text books.
Right now we are witnessing a new wave of 'independence fighters'..., seeking for freedom of speech, freedom to express...part of democracy. We are witnessing street demonstrations which sometimes turned ugly. These demonstators are mostly orang Melayu. The supporters, just like my parents, believe in the cause that are being championed by the leaders. Those are the very people that the leaders rely upon for them to remain as leaders. The very heads that the leaders stand on to for them to remain leaders.
We do not know the outcome and the result of this 'fight'. Maybe the children of our children will then read all these in their history text books as they continue celebrating another public holiday which falls on 31st August.