What day?

August 31, 2008

Significance?

Malaysia was freed from British ruling.

Result?

The country you see now.

Now, if I was to tell you honestly I would say that not the oil, the rubber, the food, the political scandals, nor the so called racial diversity and unity (I'll discuss on this later) made Malaysia known to the world. Heck not even the towering twin towers is responsible to the recognition.

The recognition ladies and gentleman comes from sports. Namely badminton. Yes it is true. Back in 1949 when it was known or barely unknown as Malaya, out country won the 1^st Thomas cup ever played. It was then; Malaya established its name as a badminton powerhouse. A tradition that still stands true. So it is not wrong to say that before anything else, badminton made the world look at this relatively small but strategically placed nation. Although, the old glory is yet to return, it's a shame to not give badminton the true recognition it deserves. Fast forward 51 years and you have Nicol David. Or should I say Datuk or is it Dato' Nicol David? Forgive my memory lapse. Now this petite lady has given the world yet another reason to take notice of our country. Pity, squash is not a Olympic sport.

But then again, even with these many contributions by sports to our nation, many Malaysians are skeptical. Ask them why? And they say: just look at our football team. Are you dumb or what? Oh.. I get it you're the 2^nd type, the type that sees the glass as half empty. No help for you then. What they fail to understand is that Rome wasn't built in a day. And lofty targets are just that. Lofty! Sure out nations football ranking has slipped lower than Paris's IQ level, but other new sports has also emerged with talented individuals. Take diving, archery and cycling as an example.. Give them a chance to show their means before breaking their heart and spirit.

Well well, I can talk about sport for hours..and still go on.lol.

I'll discuss about that, that I said I'll will discuss later..savvy?

I just need a sentence to sum Malaysian unity.

Racism is well alive and kicking. Even if the legs are hidden by shadows. (sorry two sentences ady)

Take it from someone who has ticked lain- lain (other) for her bangsa (race) column for every national exam. Now the person that coined this term should have originally coined it to show the variety there is in NON- RESPONDING LIVING AND NON LIVING THINGS. Repeat NON- RESPONDING. For example, kerusi, meja dan lain- lain (chairs tables and others), or oren, epal dan lain- lain (orange, apple and others). Simply put, lain- lain makes you feel like an outsider, even in your own country. Tsk tsk. I say do away with the lain- lain if you want to boast about Malaysian unity.

Take another form of unity or the lack of it that I noticed on the idiot box. (For the idiots: idiot box is television). An ad for Khidmat Negara, which at the end of the ad says racial unity is its target features only one race in the whole ad. I did not know that they actually meant racial unity among that certain race. Here i was thinking it was the racial unity among all. Silly me..

Conclusion?

Take a dosage of truth thrice daily, swallowed with a swig of false hope.

If conditions persist: migrate J

Till then happy independence day Malaysia..