It's been so long, Malaysia

Dear Friends,

It's been so long since that triumphant moment, once held in a large area, where people congregated, without fear of ISA or being held trial for being conspiratorial, where races did not matter, and all that counted was that loud call out for Independence.

Can we go back to those times?

Times, where race did not matter, instead, manners and health were priority.

Times where I did not even bother about who they were and whether they would talk to me if they knew I ate pork. I was more bothered about learning Arabic from all my friends, and learning how to write my name in Jawi.

I'm not saying that it is all specifically targeted towards the Muslim community. I am just saying that, nowadays, there is too much speculation on the differences between races and how we should overlook these differences. Shouldn't we (my two cents) just focus on the fact, that as Malaysians, we possess such variety and unique identity as a country, that instead of fighting with ourselves, we should look more on how we, as 1Malaysia, can face the world with what we have to offer?

My experiences, as a child, and even now, have made me believe that, there is so much potential in all our social responsibilities and roles, that it does not even matter what language we speak nor how we dress or behave, in how we interact with one another.

Come on Malaysians, do we even need to spell this out in heavily funded advertisements and campaigns?

Look into your hearts and your memories, and see...

When the last time someone helped you, irregardless of race and beliefs.
How we greatly welcome each and every public holiday with vigour, with the realisation that it only came to, because of the importance of each community in our country.
That, at any time of day, we can eat whatever and wherever we want, because of the fact that we possess such choice due to the wonderful possibilities our country has.
Our workmates, schoolmates, college mates and any day friends, whom we listen to, talk to, argue with and discuss anything under the sun with, are not limited to only the people of one race or one background or ethnicity.

1Malaysia does not highlight the fact that we should strive to be ONE. In fact, it just shows that we are already ONE.

The fact that we are already residing in ONE country, together for so long, that we should not forget where we came from and how we came about.

I readily accept all my friends and their beliefs and mannerisms, with the fact that, we all grew up in the same backgrounds and same societies. Where else can you get this?

Let us stand up, proud, as Malaysians. Malaysians first, ethnicity second, religion last.

Because, who we are and what we will become, are results of who we were and what we were. Merdeka, means so much more in unity than standing alone.

Happy Merdeka Malaysians.