Standing Up…
Why is Independence Day always observed? So we don’t forget what our forefathers did to fight for liberty to make us an independent nation. Dubbed the Father of Independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman said in his proclamation of independence speech: “…from henceforth we are masters of our own destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility…” Let us ask ourselves what are we doing to contribute to the welfare of this land we call home? We each have a responsibility to exercise our rights as a Malaysian, to demand for good governance and to do our part in taking action for what we believe and stand for. Not content to just leave it up to the powers that be, to manage and develop the nation, there are some enterprising and patriotic individuals who take it upon themselves to champion the welfare of our community and to rally the youths, the new generation that will steer the country in the future. As Tengku Tan Sri Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar said in his interview (p.56), we need to ensure that youths continue to uphold a code of ethics and not forget important principles, to guide them in the right direction. What we reap, we sow, thus we must educate the young and instil good values, including a sense of patriotism for our country. Recent years have seen Malaysians leaving the country in droves, for hopes of better career opportunities elsewhere. Some were also disenchanted with the country’s state of affairs. Thankfully there are those who still come back after being overseas, and are fired up to make a change for a better Malaysia. One such person is our cover star Hannah Kam, who together with the co-founders of the Organisation for National Empowerment seeks to empower and encourage youths to be more engaged in nation building. They hope to provide a platform for those wishing to make a difference but are unsure of how to go about it (p.146). Meanwhile, Collin Swee and Syed Sadiq Albar of Projek57 (p.62) were mulling over how to tackle the issue of brain drain and decided to sell nationalistic T-shirts to help spread their message of hope. Furthermore, 40 per cent from the profits go to underprivileged youths and single mothers, so it’s a win-win situation on both counts. We should be proud that these patriots are making a stand for what they believe in, and should join in the cause! Let us refrain from apathy and instead work towards a common goal —one that benefits us all. On a lighter note, with the Rio Olympics coming up this August 5 to 21, all eyes will be on South America as sportsmen and women vie for the coveted gold. As we cheer on our country’s representatives, let us not forget those who have trodden this path before. Our interview with four Olympic veterans gives a revealing insight into what it means to play for the country they love (p.156). Happy Merdeka Day to all!
— Elizabeth Soong Managing Editor