apa ertinya kemerdekaan...

Salam Kemerdekaan to all.

Many men and women have lost the true spirit of sacrifice, but there are also others who are pushing forward for change.

“In our country, we have… acquired a spirit of complacency. We have lost in part our spirit and determination to stand up without fear or favour.

“Many have just chosen to accept instead of boldly stating what should be a strong impetus for the country and our people as a whole.

“There is a streak of egotistical self-sufficiency, which has become a major part of our individual life.

Great words of Mrs FR Bhupalan.

Read the full interview here:

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/09/03/cry-of-the-silent-millions-goes-unheeded/

saturday sept 3

Its Saturday again, the 8th after the historical 709 BERSIH march. Im sitting here with my Samsung Tab reflecting back on that great day.

Yeah, it was truly a special day and it brings a smile to my face each time i think, talk or recall that special day. I still distinctly remember having tears in my eyes while joining hundreds of others in singing the National Anthem on Petaling street. Smiling and shaking hands with complete strangers and friends, what an experience.

But now two months on, I wonder if that oomph, that 'semangat' is still burning inside us? It is still burning in me, to see Free and Fair elections come GE13. Of course the million ringgit question is when will be the GE13?

I feel sad to speculate that GE13 will come only after a turbulant time in Malaysia following Anwar's imprisonment. Yes, I am definitely sure he will be sent in yet again. Reformasi v2.0 cum BERSIH v3.0 will be a reality. This time round even more rakyat will be out on the streets. International attention will be even more than before.

UMNO will pull out all stops to 'fight' for their survival, grasping like a drowning man. Yes, it will indeed be a difficult moment for the nation but one that we would nevertheless have to go through. I just pray that there will be minimal blood shed and minimal damage and economic loss.

Emerging from that will be GE13 which will bring Malaysia into a new political chapter in our nation's history. What will we become after that?

I see changes but not immediate. Change will come slowly and i would rather see it come slowly but sustained instead of drastic but not long lasting.

The key factor would be in the hands of civil society who must keep the politicians in check. The new generation politicians must engage civil society to help bring Malaysia forward and to survive.

It has been 3 months since my last posting. The past 3 months have been interesting, challenging and thought provoking. Now on the 3rd day of syawal, after a very relaxing short break, i sit reflecting on what I have gone through.

I start with my sad reflection of my nation's 54th Independent year.

I call it Independence Day and not Freedom or National Day. It is certainly not National Day as Malaysia was not formed on 31st Aug nor was she formed in 1957. On this date and year, the Brits left our homeland but the rakyat did not grt their freedom. Malaya was free from British colonisation, but Malaysia was yet to be formed.

Thus, we commemorate our Independence but we certainly do not celebrate our National Day nor is there cause to celabrate our freedom or Merdeka.

I noticed there are very few Jalur Gemilang flying either on vehicles or on buildings. This is despite the government's concerted effort to encourage people to fly the flag.

This is a loud and clear message from the people that the government should be listening to and respecting it. There is indeed little to celebrate but a whole lot to reflect on.

Apakah ertinya kemerdekaan apabila negara kita masih dalam keadaan darurat?
Apakah ertinya kemerdekaan kalau rakyat tidak bebas bersuara atau berhimpun secara aman?


I certainly see that the state of our nation today is because those who came before us chose to be silent.

Can we continue to be silent? A regime will continue to rule with little care and respect for the rights of the people if the people continue to be silent for whatever reason: fear, ignorance or simply because they are not bothered.

I appeal to my fellow Malaysians to give serious consideration to what kind of a nation you want to leave for your children and the next generation.

We cannot afford to remain silent. We owe it to our children to leave for them a nation that is truly independent and free where there is justice and rule of law.

We must give oud children a cause to fly the Jalur Gemilang with pride and to celebrate MERDEKA!