MERDEKA! What Is The Theme Again!!

KUALA LUMPUR: Less than four days to go and the nation will be celebrating its 56th Merdeka. Yet, unlike the previous years, this year's celebration appears to be more low key. Gone are the days when Malaysians woud eagerly wait for the 31 August date and celebrate the occasion like a festival. So subtle the celebration that it was safe to say that many were clueless about the theme this year and its significance. A few days ago, political analyst Prof Madya Dr Muhammad Agus Yusoff, on his Facebook page, expressed his disappoinment at the level of 'eagerness' shown towards celebrating Merdeka. The media too, he said, was partly to blame as it was slow at promoting and instilling patriotism among the people. There was also a lack of campaigning and advertising compared to the previous years. Muhammad Agus said in comparison, the people of Indonesia were very eager whenever their independence day approaches. The atmosphere was created in such a way that it felt like celebrating a festivity. Here, many were oblivious and appeared not to care about merdeka and its meaning. Out of 20 interviewed by Malaysian Digest around the streets of Kuala Lumpur yesterday, only one could recall the theme "Malaysiaku Berdaulat: Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku. The rest appeared clueless and tried as hard to avoid answering the question. Half of them, fortunately, did know that Malaysia is celebrating its 56th year of independence. Zainul AbidinCivil servant, Zainul Abidin Zakaria, 55, said lack of publicity compared to the previous years was the reason he did not know the theme of Merdeka celebration this year. "There was almost nothing on television, so how am I to know? Before this, as we entered the month of August, there were a lot of Merdeka Day ads... Now, nothing. "Last time, I used to hear patriotic and Merdeka-related songs played on the radio too. That was how I could remember the theme. This year, there were nothing to remind us that Merdeka is just around the corner. "But I do know that this year is the 56th," he said. Fatin Eizzati Hashim, 21, a student, agreed with Zainul Abidin. "Until today, I am still waiting for the Merdeka Day advertisement on television. I have yet to see any. Maybe I have seen some small ad somewhere but they weren't as extensive as it should be," she said. Lai Bee Fok, 65, from Kepong also believed that the lack of publicity could have led to this year's non-excitement. "I know all of the Merdeka Day themes because I am from that era and I believe we (older generation) are more patriotic. "But sadly, I still don't know what is the theme this year. I know that it was different. Lai Bee Fok"I don't see many Jalur Gemilang being flown in Kuala Lumpur this time around," he said. Tamil Ayaikanu, 49, one of the few who actually knows the theme said it was apt and unique. "The theme is quite different and meaningful. It can be a gentle reminder to the people to value the importance of unity, to defend and to love our country. "I may know about it but the message don't seem to reach others," he said. Probably because of this, the Commmunication and Multimmedia minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, reportedly said the government was contemplating the need to introduce a law that would ensure premises, including government and private buildings to fly the Jalur Gemmilang during the month of Merdeka. "There are still many premises and buildings not doing this. However, it is still being studied carefully. "Many are not taking seriously the celebrattion and felt it was enough that the schools complied to this," he said. Early this month, the ministry launched the 56th Merdeka logo along with the theme "Malaysiaku Berdaulat: Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku", marking the start of the Merdeka month. The concept of the celebration this year is geared towards elements of patriotism, unity, sovereignty and national security.


An office building in Bangsar wrap in Jalur Gemilang. 



KL skyline at night. 



A man walking past photos of past leaders of Malaysia. 



A man clad in Jalur Gemilang outfit entertaining the crowd at Dataran Merdeka yesterday.