Friday, August 01, 2003
193. Rollerblading is really bad for my ass and back but damn, I could skate as fast as lighthing I tell you, fvck3n fast.
And once again, the State has done something that reduces my belief in them. After the introduction of national service into the system, the improvised Negaraku is going to be further improvised. This time, instead of Negaraku, it is going to be changed to Malaysiaku. The reason is to instill the spirit of patriotism among fellow Malaysians. I say this is lame.
Negaraku is the Federation of Malaysia’s national anthem, modified from Perak’s, one of the state in the Federation, state anthem, the Bulan Terang. It was chosen by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Malaysia’s, back then known as Malaya Federation, Father of Independence to emulate Indonesia’s Indonesia Raya and the likes. The first version, a slow tempo melody, a little bit faster than the Dutch’s Wilhelmus lasted until 1991. Reached August 31st 1991, an absurd upbeat tempo was introduced to the public by the irresponsible state. And, mark this upcoming August 31st, barely 15 years after its improvisation, the title is going to be change for good. Who knows what else will be changed.
My opinion on this matter? The government should concentrate on improving the economy or at least try to negotiate the water issue with Singapore. Not on a pathetic issue that is useless and without doubt, bring not any good to the public in general.
My discontent might sounds silly but silly complaint won’t come to surface if silly issue does not arise. Malaysia proudly has culture of its own that is old, contrary to the United States or Singapore. However, we lack a national tradition; I consider national tradition as something that was born in 1957 or 1963. Unfortunately, nothing that deserve to be called national tradition last as long as 46 years. Even the name Malaysia was not adopted until the inclusion of Sabah, Sawarak and Singapore into the Federation. Even the numbers of states in the Federation changed after the expulsion of Singapore from the Federation. Even the administrative capital changed. The only things that are so traditional are the leaders and supposedly holy Constitution of Malaysia. But yet, even the Constitution is subject to change. Perhaps, the only thing that could be called national tradition is the unique rotational monarchy system.
Changing Negaraku to Malaysiaku is an insult to every real, living and dead patriots. A real patriot does not have to serve the army nor does he needs to sing a song to raise his love for the country. A patriot is somebody who loves his country without clause.
If the government really wants to increase patriotism and unity among the masses, dissolve racial segregation by erasing SKJ, withdraw MCA’s permit to operate UTAR and open up UiTM. That is the true way to conserve and strengthen nationalism. It’s an unpopular method but the Age of Enlightenment wouldn’t have come if the Europeans had swum with the masses.
Fellow Malaysians, follow me, I assert you. The next time you sing for our country, sing Negaraku. Preserve our history and national tradition.
Negaraku,
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju,
Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita selamat bertakhta,
Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita selamat bertakhta.
And once again, the State has done something that reduces my belief in them. After the introduction of national service into the system, the improvised Negaraku is going to be further improvised. This time, instead of Negaraku, it is going to be changed to Malaysiaku. The reason is to instill the spirit of patriotism among fellow Malaysians. I say this is lame.
Negaraku is the Federation of Malaysia’s national anthem, modified from Perak’s, one of the state in the Federation, state anthem, the Bulan Terang. It was chosen by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Malaysia’s, back then known as Malaya Federation, Father of Independence to emulate Indonesia’s Indonesia Raya and the likes. The first version, a slow tempo melody, a little bit faster than the Dutch’s Wilhelmus lasted until 1991. Reached August 31st 1991, an absurd upbeat tempo was introduced to the public by the irresponsible state. And, mark this upcoming August 31st, barely 15 years after its improvisation, the title is going to be change for good. Who knows what else will be changed.
My opinion on this matter? The government should concentrate on improving the economy or at least try to negotiate the water issue with Singapore. Not on a pathetic issue that is useless and without doubt, bring not any good to the public in general.
My discontent might sounds silly but silly complaint won’t come to surface if silly issue does not arise. Malaysia proudly has culture of its own that is old, contrary to the United States or Singapore. However, we lack a national tradition; I consider national tradition as something that was born in 1957 or 1963. Unfortunately, nothing that deserve to be called national tradition last as long as 46 years. Even the name Malaysia was not adopted until the inclusion of Sabah, Sawarak and Singapore into the Federation. Even the numbers of states in the Federation changed after the expulsion of Singapore from the Federation. Even the administrative capital changed. The only things that are so traditional are the leaders and supposedly holy Constitution of Malaysia. But yet, even the Constitution is subject to change. Perhaps, the only thing that could be called national tradition is the unique rotational monarchy system.
Changing Negaraku to Malaysiaku is an insult to every real, living and dead patriots. A real patriot does not have to serve the army nor does he needs to sing a song to raise his love for the country. A patriot is somebody who loves his country without clause.
If the government really wants to increase patriotism and unity among the masses, dissolve racial segregation by erasing SKJ, withdraw MCA’s permit to operate UTAR and open up UiTM. That is the true way to conserve and strengthen nationalism. It’s an unpopular method but the Age of Enlightenment wouldn’t have come if the Europeans had swum with the masses.
Fellow Malaysians, follow me, I assert you. The next time you sing for our country, sing Negaraku. Preserve our history and national tradition.
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju,
Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita selamat bertakhta,
Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita selamat bertakhta.
