Malaysians today celebrate the 66th year of Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) as we rejoice on our liberation and it’s a day for us all to remember that despite all the challenges of building a united country, we have proved that we can overcome the difficulties facing us. Malaysians can be proud that they can enjoy the meaning of Merdeka (independence and freedom) of this day in peace and security.
Malaysia is more diverse in race, language, culture, and religion than most former colonies in the British Empire. When we became independent on August 31, 1957, the country inherited a good system of law and order, a reliable public administration and a developed infrastructure of transport and communication.
We also had the benefit of inheriting a good education system combined with the country’s rich resource base, and its location in South-east Asia, considered as one of the most dynamic regions in the world, our economy developed very fast to become much more diversified and stable than it was sixty over years ago. The strong economic growth enabled absolute poverty and high youth unemployment to be drastically reduced and eradicated.
Our national leaders were and (more importantly, are) pragmatic in formulating the development policies, resulting in all races feeling a sense of belonging to the country. Every economic five-year plan puts the priority of government spending on developing the education and health of the Rakyat, and raising living standards.
We made good progress in reducing the inequalities to avoid the kind of internal instability such as the May 1969 racial riots from happening again. The tragic incident made the government even more determined to push through higher levels of economic growth targets.
The course of Malaysia’s independence and sovereignty in maintaining unity is the cornerstone to ensure Malaysia continues to emerge as a great nation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his Independence Day 2023 address on Aug 30, said one of the conditions needed to meet those aspirations was “to free the people” by shaping a society that is ‘independent’ in mind and soul and free from colonialist and outdated thinking.
This year’s theme, ‘Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan’, (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope) has a deep meaning to be appreciated by all Malaysians who love their country as it invites Malaysians to strengthen the spirit of unity in facing various challenges together, including the current global economic uncertainty.
Thinking Malaysians suggest the theme clearly symbolises how important unity is in driving the country’s economic development and raising Malaysians’ living standards to a higher level.
It’s vital for countries like multi-ethnic Malaysia to unite because cooperation is the country’s main asset. If the races can accommodate one another and live in harmony, the unification of multiracial citizens will bring many benefits to the country in the economic and social sectors. Economic progress can only be achieved if there is stability. Stability can only exist if the people are united and help each other, but if they are divided and fight, the country will become backward and be destroyed.
As Malaysians have all the basic needs of food, clothing, and housing, they are now expecting more of the rights and freedoms like what they see people in other prosperous countries enjoy. The religious conservatives should understand the generational change happening among our youths and be more tolerant of their modern lifestyles. They should not try to impose their conservative moral values on society as this can have bad implications to the economy as well. If local and foreign investors feel not safe for their business because of rising religious conservatism influencing the politics of the country, they will move their operations to neighbouring countries.
As our development planning has always stressed, Malaysia’s prospects of soon becoming a high-income country will depend on excellent governance and sustained high levels of expansion of private sector activities especially in the modern, cutting-edge technologies so that we can compete to maintain our participation in the global economy.
Today we cherish the ones who made our independence possible. Freedom is illusive if not defended, but we are all blessed to have it. Let’s appreciate everything we have and celebrate our freedom.
The Management and Staff of BusinessToday wishes all Malaysians a Selamat Hari Merdeka!
Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka
