IT IS Merdeka Day today for me, although for others it may be Hari Kebangsaan or National Day. There are also those who call it Independence Day.
When will we have a common name for this auspicious day? Call it Merdeka Day.
There’s Stadium Merdeka, Tunku’s Rumah Merdeka and Dataran Merdeka. So what about Hari Merdeka?
We must be decisive about the name that reflects our national identity and not be confused and not have a proper name for it.
To me Merdeka is more appropriate as it means “freedom.” It was the day we were free to rule the country on our own and become a sovereign state with laws of our own.
It is the day we secured our independence from our British colonial masters.
If Merdeka Day is of utmost importance and significant to all Malaysians, where is our focal point to remember Merdeka?
It definitely is Dataran Merdeka and the area encompassing the iconic Sultan Abdul Samad building, including the world’s tallest flag pole with the national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, proudly blowing in the wind.
However, I still feel that not much effort has been made to mark the place as the symbol of our independence.
We only see and feel the occasion once a year whenever we celebrate the day with a patriotic parade, raising of the Jalur Gemilang and a display of fireworks and a concert.
May I suggest that the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry which occupies the grand Sultan Abdul Samad building, gazette the surrounding enclaves and call it something associated with Merdeka.
It will be our unique landmark and focal point like in other cities of the world – Red Square in Moscow and Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
What we need next is a “Merdeka Walk of Fame” all around Dataran Merdeka, similar to Hollywood’s Star Walk of Fame to commemorate all our founding fathers of Merdeka and those who had contributed immensely to the greater achievements of the country.
To complement all this, a Merdeka Gallery/Museum showcasing our Road to Merdeka will be beneficial to all Malaysians and tourists alike, to know and love Malaysia.
ZARI MALAYSIANA,
Petaling Jaya.
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