What Merdeka Means to Me

By Kamelia Shamsuddin

By the time you read this, it would probably be a few days to Merdeka, our Independence Day, or the day might have gone by already. No matter what day, or really what year you are reading this article, its contents are still relevant, striking a chord within our hearts.

To me, Merdeka is as simple as going about our daily routines, such as going to our favourite food stall for an RM1 mug of Teh Tarik or playing football on weekends with neighbours, or just strolling down the kaki lima for cheap treats. All these and more, illustrate the sweet taste of freedom that so many in the past have fought for, and which is so easy for us to take for granted today.

To be sure, there are always cynics, the ones who brush it aside as nothing more than a tired agenda. But as messages for Merdeka continue to pour into my mail box, I believe the Merdeka spirit is still well and truly alive!

No one person can articulate what Merdeka truly means. Like the road towards Independence, it was a team effort. And so, below are just some reflections our students and staff gave about what Merdeka means to them. I hope that as you read this compilation of messages, you too, will also reflect what Merdeka means to you!

Merdeka is when my Malay friend invites me; an Indian, to eat at a Chinese food stall!

Vincent Paul (Student), Second Year English Language and Communications
Merdeka to me is when the nation, united as one, unanimously agrees and decides on what's best for Malaysia.

Jessie Lim Yu Min (Student), Final Year Mass Communications
Hijrah for a better mind, a way of thinking, the quality of life and spirit.

Afzanizam Muhammad (Lecturer), Faculty of Architecture, Engineering & Built Environment
Merdeka to me means having a sense of belonging and the right to be free, to be safe and to be able to secure a healthy progress for future generations.

Vinodhini Gangadara Vadivel (Programme Coordinator), UCSI English Academy
Freedom

Ariff Budiman Mohamad (Lecturer), Faculty of Architecture, Engineering & Built Environment
To me, Merdeka is about knowing that everyone can live peacefully with one another, despite coming from culturally diverse backgrounds. Being independent also means that we are capable of developing as a nation on our own. Knowing that your own freedom is bigger than what any celebration can portray.

Cheryl Melia Binti Michael Martin, (Course Counsellor), UCSI University Sarawak Campus
Be able to laugh, to love, to cry and to live.

Nurulashikin Md Taib (Lecturer), Faculty of Architecture, Engineering & Built Environment
Merdeka means to be able to think and act "independently" without heavy influences from others in our daily life.

Ho Min Yoong (Lecturer), Faculty of Management and Information Technology
Not having to worry what others would say, feel, think or do.

Diana Rosli (Head), Department of Interior Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Engineering & Built Environment
Merdeka -- it's Freedom to BE,
And to DO what is right, not what is easy.

Freedom to SEE what Malaysia can be,
Not worrying about how difficult the journey might be

Freedom to CRY when the weak are oppressed,
Freedom to FIGHT when justice is suppressed.

Freedom to LAUGH and LOVE,
Freedom to THANK GOD above.

Yon Soon Guan (MBA Student), Faculty of Management & Information Technology
Merdeka means a lot to me. It signifies independence, freedom and sovereignty. Reading and watching the news to see how communities, which are affected by war, have no choice, freedom and often little dignity, makes me realise that what we have in Malaysia is so important. So, we should do our best to preserve it. We have to appreciate and understand how valuable Merdeka is.

Pn. Zuraini (Head), Library Services
No toll, no tax and no troubles!

Redzwan Hisham Bidin (Lecturer), Faculty of Architecture, Engineering & Built Environment
Merdeka to me means that we are blessed in many ways; and should count our blessings as we approach another milestone in the nation's history. It means we are masters of our own destiny where we abide by the laws of the land, amended from time to time to suit the changing circumstances. Here, all races live in a harmonious environment; and each of us respects each other's religions and cultures; and we have freedom of worship. Also, we are fortunate that we are practically free from natural disasters. Last but not least, as an Independent Malaysian we are free to do whatever we want to as long as we do not break the law.

Agelasri A/P Cheelathurai (Executive), Centre for Quality Assurance and Enhancement
My version of Merdeka is not only what was mentioned in the history books, but also that which was vividly narrated by 3 generations of women in my family - my great grandmother, my grandmother and my mother. I enjoyed listening to them, to every detail as it was like chapters unfolding one after another, one generation to the next, leading Malaysia to her triumph. It was this history that gave Malaysia its strength and character. I am proud to be a Malaysian. Proud to say, as a nation we fought for what we believed in and we stand by our values and aspirations that she would prosper and continues to grow.

Christine Wong (Manager), Centre for Learning Excellence
Merdeka is usually the time I get together with friends to celebrate Malaysia (more appropriately Merdeka)! To celebrate unity and prosperity. Merdeka is when 1Malaysia is truly a reality where people of different races, creeds and statures join hands to celebrate our independence; our growing stance in the world as an independent country! And it would be a pre-celebration of sorts for the up-coming Hari Malaysia!

Muthu Kumar Veerapen (Tutor), Faculty of Applied Sciences
Merdeka is a word - a word that contains all of our heroes' blood and tears. A word that freed Malaya from any colonial grasp and conquered our fears. A word that unites all races and divides us no more. A word that drew friendship and erased boundaries. A word that kills and a word that brought life. A word worth dying for, and a word worth living for.

Selamat Hari Merdeka , Malaysia!

Ahmad Nahri (Student), First Year English Language & Communications
     
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