MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

It's Merdeka day!! The day we achieved independence 52 years ago!! It is a day to really be proud of, for it signifies our freedom from the clutches of foreign control and power.

For the past year and a half, ever since the ruling government lost a significant majority in the last general elections, there has been much talk about the integrity, responsibility and efficacy of the government; and much of that talk has been of the negative. In my entry today, I would prefer to stick to talking about the good things that is Malaysia, especially in this time when everything seems to be haywire.

Malaysia has always and will always been known as a multi-racial/multi-ethnic country. That's what makes Malaysia unique. The fact that its people are of different races and religion living together in harmony and with respect is truly a point to salute.

Off the top of my mind, I can think of three things that show how Malaysia has really grown in terms of being united:

1) There are more inter-marriages now than before. And I don't just mean the marriages between the Indians and Chinese, but also of the Chinese and Malays...etc. The willingness to commit to a different religion and lifestyle just goes to show how we have all evolved and have finally begun to see past colour and religion.

2) 'Mamak' shops now boasts of having multi-racial customers, enjoying their cup of 'teh tarik' and 'roti canai'. Even the Chinese are learning and enjoying the spicy delights of Indian food. One good example is my brother Jared who is half-Chinese and half-Filipino. With that biological traits in him, he could not, for the life of him, eat anything spicy!! But...with constant practice and lunches at my aunt's house where curry and chillies are staple food, Jared has "taught" his Chinese-Filipino tongue to accept spicy-ness!! Hahaha!! He has indeed grown so much that he now eats chillie padi!!!!

3) And of course...who can forget the infamous "lah" that accompanies almost every word or sentence. I bet that we can recognise a Malaysian anywhere in the world from that very word: 'LAH'!

It is sad to see that the problems or issues of racism seem to stem from the very people that are supposed to symbolise unity: the government. I don't see the people being racist. I don't see celebrities being racist or practising racism. It is those in power that seem to that this racism issue so personally.

I just hope that...before it's too late, people will learn and realise that race and religion is a private issue. It should not be made into something political or a problem.

HAPPY MERDEKA MY FELLOW COUNTRY MEN (WOMEN)!!