Proud to be Anak Malaysia
Let’s drown out the voices of extremism because it it time for all Malaysians to value and cherish the Jalur Gemilang.
SOMETIMES it’s the little gestures that mean the most.
The viral photograph of a soldier picking up a Malaysian flag that had fallen to the ground was praised and quickly shared by many. The picture was posted on Facebook by one Mjr Mohd Fitri Shuib, an army officer, who said the soldier’s act reflected the heart and spirit of every serving and retired military member.
“It’s not the flag that we worship but we understand the value and meaning of the Jalur Gemilang,” he said in the posting.
Although the time and date of the photograph cannot be ascertained, the posting comes at a time when the country is on the verge of celebrating the National Day amid some controversial racial statements and incidents.
It is during the weeks in the runup to Merdeka that our politicians start playing the same old broken record.
If feels like Groundhog Day, it’s not surprising. The familiar soundbites we are bound to hear would include the catchphrases “unity”, “diversity” and “tolerance”.
As our country turns 62, the average Malaysian has become immune to the same old refrains of the need to “pull together” for the sake of the nation. The truth is, our society is as fragmented and divided as at any time in our history.
The voices of extremism are growing increasingly louder in our beloved country. What happened to the peace-loving, multiracial nation that we are supposed to be? The amount of vitriol and hate spewed, especially on social media, is disgusting and alarming.
But even as there are voices that seek to amplify our differences, even if the race card is continuously played, and even as the rhetoric reaches incendiary levels, more often that not it is the ordinary Malaysians who bring us back from the edge. These people, who with their words and actions give us belief that there is hope that we can progress as one people and one nation.
One such person is of course the unnamed soldier whose simple gesture of picking up the Malaysian flag means so much more than any platitudes from politicians.
Another such initiative is from @ twt_malaysia using the hashtag #MalaysiaUnites. This Twitter account has been curating feel-good tweets from various individuals who share stories, anecdotes, photos and videos about what brings us together.
Many of these stories involve the kindness of strangers, often from different races. Some of them are just shout-outs to multiracial family members. Many of these netizens share the heartwarming ways that the “muhibah” spirit is portrayed.
Since last week, when the hashtag was first used, hundreds of Malaysians have been sharing positive tales about their neighbours, about food from different races that they love, about their best friends – in fact just about anything Malaysian that has impacted their lives.
Some of the tweets that caught my eye are from Malaysians who are overseas. They talk about how much they miss home and how special it is to celebrate the National Day in a foreign country.
These tweets in turn have been retweeted thousands of times, reaching many more people and helping to counter so much of the negativity that we read on social media with huge doses of positivity.
The other initiative that has made a big impact is the #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk on Aug 31 in Setia Alam. To be held for the fourth consecutive year, the walk is a collaboration between property developer Eco World Development Group Bhd and Star Media Group Bhd.
More than 7,000 people are expected to walk for unity to promote the spirit of patriotism, but more than that, it is heartening to read the stories of individuals and groups that have been taking part in this event since its inception.
This multiracial gathering brings together families, individuals, groups and corporates who come together for a 5km walk, sing patriotic songs and wave the flag.
In the short period of time since its launch, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, proving that the majority of Malaysians subscribe to a culture of acceptance, harmony and peaceful co-existence.
Our 62nd Independence Day celebration is around the corner and now more than ever we need to unite in a show of patriotism.
This Merdeka, let us all fly the Malaysian flag. Mine currently hangs on my balcony.
It could be a little flag for your car, a stick-on, a large flag for your house or even your screensaver on your laptop. It does not matter which Jalur Gemilang you use: display it proudly.
The #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk is a call for the voices of moderation to stand up for Malaysia. Registration deadline for the walk has been extended to Aug 28. For more details, go to bit.ly/aamwalk2019.