Merdeka

'Merdeka'. Literally, it means free or independent. I have celebrated every August 31st as my country's Independence Day. It is the date when my country freed itself from the rule of the British empire; and together, as a nation, we rose as ONE. Sadly, over the last few years, the meaning of Merdeka has changed...for me at least. After 58 years of independence, one would think that the nation would be forging ahead, growing stealthily, as the years add up. Yes...we have Vision 20:20 in sight. Yes...we are aiming to be a developed country. BUT...how are we going to achieve all that when the very foundation upon which our country was built upon i.e. the harmony of the people, is threatened? The foundation upon which we gained our independence on, which thus allowed us to build our country and nation, is now marred with  widening cracks that are threatening to crumble the entire institution. The original spirit of 'Merdeka' has vanished. I can't help but ask myself, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? Shouldn't we be moving forward, growing together as a nation, getting stronger each year? Instead, we seem to be chiseling little but sturdy cracks into the cement that holds the foundation together. We're supposed to be progressive, advanced, forward thinking. We're the new generation that will one day lead the country. And yet.... While the acceptance of certain issues like interracial marriages has been socially accepted and in fact boomed in the past few years, I am perplexed, confounded, baffled, by the sudden and unexpected backward steps of the up-rise of religious/cultural differences of the people (I don't even want to think about politics at this point!). It is simply ironic. On one hand, there is the socially acceptable and boasted about issue of interracial relationships, how we're all living so peacefully with one another, celebrating each other's festivals etc. The diversity that is the pride of Malaysia. We boast about this anywhere, anytime!  Then on the other hand....there are issues of disagreements between races, declarations or statements of superiority of one race or religion over the other, unacceptable or thoughtless taunts.The very basis of what we built our nation on is now under a serious threat. Where did these come from? It's worrying to think that as we move ahead in time, technology etc, we seem to be moving backwards in our thinking and mindset. Sighs... And so, this year, my Merdeka message, or rather wish, is for us, as a nation, to be MERDEKA from all the political/social/cultural differences. We need to come together as one, and start cementing back our foundation; fortifying it against everything that we fought against when we claimed independence. As cliche as it may sound, UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!! Happy Merdeka everyone! :-)

"Same Same: A Dan Lain-lain Project"

Back in early May when I was in Chiangmai for a Consultation, I came across this phrase "samesame" emblazoned across souvenir t-shirts that were being sold on the streets. I didn't know what it meant or symbolised, so I figured that it must be one of those slangs that the locals used (although for God knows what!). :-)

And then two weeks later, I came across an "advert" (if you can call it that) on Facebook, inviting mixed-race families of Malaysia to contribute their stories and photos of: how did they meet, what were their biggest joys, obstacles, adventures, misunderstandings, etc., while being in a mixed-race relationship. To my pleasant surprise, the project was called...SAME SAME! Was this fate or what? The project is the brainchild of Lithuanian photographer Paulius Staniunas and aims to celebrate Malaysia's cultural and racial diversity.

Coming from a mixed race family, I was intrigued with this project, and promptly submitted a photo of my sister, cousin and me to Paul, explaining how the three of us are of mixed raced and often get questioned as to which race we belong to. Lo and behold, our picture was posted on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/samesameproject/photos/pb.1555171511367613.-2207520000.1439280391./1659929877558442/?type=3&theater)

What happened next was simply amazing!! Paul then contacted me, asking if by any chance I was based in Penang. He explained that he was planning to have a photo/story exhibition of mixed race families, individuals, couples, in Penang, in conjunction with the George Town Festival, and asked if I would be interested to take part. Joe Sidek, the festival director, had heard of his project and has asked if he could do a similar project focusing on the people of Penang. (For full background info of the "Same Same: A Dan Lain-lain Project", go to http://www.samesame.my). 

Having learnt more about the whole project, I of course wholeheartedly jumped on the bandwagon to be part of this amazing endeavour. Emails were exchanged, dates were discussed...and finally, my family and I met Paul and his friend, Alex who was helping him in the project. The two of them were very engaging and friendly as they interviewed my parents on their background, how they met, the complete love story. They even got my dad to admit that he stole my mum from another guy (much to my sister's and my surprise)!! Haha!!

A month and a half later, and the beautifully taken photograph and well synthesised story of my family is now on display at Dewan Sri Pinang, together with 30 other photographs and stories of mixed race families from Penang. 

It was/is indeed such a pleasure and honour to be part of this project and I am excited to see how the entire "Same Same: A Dan Lain-lain Project" unfolds. If the exhibition in Penang is anything to go by, I'm sure the entire project will be something spectacular to look forward to! :-)