'Malaysia is like Mom's curry chicken'

The radio DJ interjects between the songs wishing her listeners “Happy Birthday, Malaysia!” Wait, that’s not right.

August 31st is Malaysia’s independence day. The day we commemorate the independence of Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957. It should not be confused with Malaysia Day when Malaysia was formed together by Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore on Sept 16.

However how many of us admit have somewhat made the mistake of confusing those two dates?

All these while, we grew up celebrating Independence Day every 31st August. I remember waking up early in the morning to catch the colourful Merdeka parade on TV. In school, we would decorate our classrooms with Malaysian flag, sing our hearts out during our merdeka theme assembly while excitedly waving our mini flags.

However it’s only been four years since Malaysia Day been made as public holiday nationwide to commemorate the establishment of Malaysian federation on 16 September 1963, thus celebrating the birth of Malaysia.

Now today is Malaysia’s birthday, not August 31st. What does Malaysia Day mean to you? Previously, Malaysia Day was a public holiday only in East Malaysia. A friend from Sabah recalled as a child growing up, to him it was the day to celebrate the official birthday of the head of state of Sabah, Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT).

Till only recently, it was changed to celebrate Malaysia Day. Since this year it marks the 50th year of Malaysia formation, mega celebrations are happening in Sabah and Sarawak. My better half, a proud Sarawakian, said they still went to school on September 16 back then but nobody knew it was the day Malaysia was formed.

Only in college he knew the significance of the date but only because of the internet and the political 'hoo-ha' around it. Asked any East Malaysian, some are still torn what Malaysia Day mean to them.

Some feel it could have been worse if they did not form Malaysia. Some think they could actually be better off. One thing for sure, do not mistake it as the day Sabah and Sarawak “joined Malaysia” as many Malaysians will always say - but formed the Federation of Malaysia as equal partners along with Singapore and Malaya on 16th of September, 1963.

Did you also know Sarawak achieved independence from the British on July 22, while Sabah achieved theirs on Aug 31, both on 1963?

With that said, it’s been 50 years down the road. If Malaysia was a man, he would be half a century old today. That’s old! Although some may argue, life begins at 50. So let bygones be bygones. We can either dwell in the past or decide our path for a better future.

Which leads me back to the question, what does Malaysia day mean to you? If you still don’t feel “it” in you, it’s okay. To many, Malaysia Day celebration is still a new thing. What would help though is making sure you get your history right. First by differentiating Independence Day and Malaysia Day and find your own meaning to it.

You may start by asking what does it mean being a Malaysian? Do you stand up with pride when you hear Negaraku? Are you grateful to live in a peaceful country and not in war-torn Somalia where people lived in poverty and sufferings for over 20 years (because I have been there, I know)? Are you glad we have abundance of food 24 hours a day, we may never go hungry? (I know I am!)

To me, the answer is simple.