Malaysia Day doesn't capture Malaysian hearts

By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: Fireworks lit up the sky at midnight to commemorate Malaysia Day, the latest addition in the country's string of national celebrations. But sentiment on the ground was nowhere as festive.

FMT took to the streets to hear what the ordinary Malaysians thought of Sept 16. The verdict: a cross between confusion and indifference.

R Maniamah, 57, a cleaner at a mall in Bangsar, shook her head when asked if she knew that Sept 16 is a public holiday. As far as she is concerned, she still has to turn up for work.

“I don't know what Malaysia Day is,” she frowned. “Why do we need another day when we already have National Day? Isn't that enough to celebrate our country?”

Baha, 50, a roadside cobbler also in Bangsar, reacted with the same bemusement.

“What's Malaysia Day?” he asked, and then said without waiting for answer, “It doesn't matter because I'll be working anyway. Did you know about this holiday?”

He directed this question to his young customer who reluctantly admitted that she didn't. She told FMT that she was on Hari Raya leave until the end of the week and wasn't even aware that Sept 16 is a public holiday.

Historical chronology

While A Maniam from Ladang Kerling, Hulu Selangor, never heard of Malaysia Day, he was still able to rattle off the historical chronology that led to Malaysia's formation.

After listening carefully to a brief explanation on Malaysia Day, he replied that while it's a cause for celebration in Sabah and Sarawak, it held no meaning for him.

“I work as a security guard seven days a week just to make ends meet,” he said. “I can't afford to take a day off on National Day even because my family needs to eat.”

The father of three confided that he believed such celebrations were just another political ploy to woo the people. To him there is no difference between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat if neither is able to meet the people's basic needs.

“Whether National Day or Malaysia Day, all these celebrations are only for the upper class of society,” he said flatly.

In nearby Kuala Selangor, the fishermen there admitted they only knew of Malaysia Day because it is a gazetted public holiday which meant they wouldn't be able to get petrol subsidies.

“But we don't know what the fuss is all about,” said Omar Abdul Rahman, the director of the Kuala Selangor Fisherman Society. “National Day has marches and parades. We have no idea what is being planned for Malaysia Day. If there is no great significance, then maybe it should just be dropped altogether.”

Stark reminder

For second generation Felda settler, Nur Suhaila Raja Mohammad, 24, Malaysia Day is a stark reminder of East Malaysia's freedom from the British and its merging with West Malaysia.

“I am awed by the determination of the people back then to join arms in creating an independent country,” she enthused before turning sombre. “But to me it isn't any different from National Day if the purpose of Malaysia Day is to celebrate patriotism.”

Rohaya Mat Daud, 24, who resides in Felda Jengka, Pahang, agreed with Suhaila and added that the spirit of patriotism should always be alive.

“The government must use every avenue possible to constantly emphasise and fan the flames of unity beyond a set number of days,” she stated.

"Some Sarawakians are aware, but not everyone is aware of it," said Paul Raja, a Sarawak-based land rights lawyer. “Some are even confused because all this while, they have been told that National Day is the only day for such celebrations."

When asked if the day has helped to recognise East Malaysia's position in the federation, Raja opined that Malaysia Day is only a symbolic act by the federal government minus the substance.

"It's not enough,” he asserted. “Malaysia Day doesn't mean anything to us because what has been rightly promised to us by the 18-Point Agreement has not been fulfilled.

Sarawak's 18-Point Agreement is a list of terms for Sarawak's entry into the Federation of Malaysia. These points include the Borneanisation of the civil service and its representation in Parliament.

"We are asking for the recognition of our position in Malaysia," Raja said. "Otherwise, Sept 16 is just another public holiday."

Sarawakian architect Peggy Wong, 32, summed it up nicely. In her opinion, the significance of Sept 16 lies in the hands of the average Malaysian.

“If you want Malaysia Day to be a significant event and not a mere farce, then make sure you're a registered voter so you can contribute to your country's future and celebrate yourself as a true Malaysian,” she declared. “As for West Malaysians, start learning racial tolerance from East Malaysians before you shout about national unity.”

[By Stephanie Sta Maria, B Nantha Kumar, Patrick Lee, Muda Mohd Noor and Jamilah Kamarudin]