KUALA LUMPUR – To many youth across the nation today, Malaysia Day is not just an occasion to commemorate the formation of the country on September 16, 1963.
Beyond that, it is about appreciating bonds among people of diverse backgrounds.
The official federal observance of the day was only introduced in 2009.
To the generation that has witnessed the early Malaysia Day celebrations as children, it is about remembering the innocent joy of celebrating in a genuine spirit of togetherness.
In the days leading up to the 59th Malaysia Day today, The Vibes spoke to young Malaysians about their memories of participating in the celebrations and how the experiences have shaped them.
Teyun Huey Sze, a communications practitioner, shared how she celebrated Independence Day and Malaysia Day together during secondary school.
“On that day, we sang patriotic songs and played some performances,” said the 24-year-old.
“If I did not join the parade, I would turn on the TV to watch performances and be amazed. I am grateful that I was born in Malaysia, a beautiful country.”
She also recalled when then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the official Malaysia Day observance in 2009 for the first time at the national level. Teyun was then in primary school.
Before that, we just knew that Independence Day (Hari Merdeka) was on August 31. But after I studied history, I regard the genuine independence day to be on September 16, as it commemorates the whole country, including Sabah and Sarawak.
She is disappointed that many people in the past were not conscious of the significance of this day.
“I realised that people participated less in Malaysia Day programmes compared to Independence Day, and the events related to it did not attract as many crowds.
“It was quite sad to see that situation,” she added.
All aboard the sarong train
Najwan Arief, 25, a political science student at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, takes pride in attending events that bring Malaysians together, whatever their differences may be.
“I find that it is the best way to celebrate Malaysia Day… when Malaysians gather without knowing each other’s backgrounds yet share the same interest in celebrating the nation,” he said.
He recalls the celebrations during his schooling day, which are etched in his memory.
It is still fresh in my mind…the time we re-enacted the sketch of the Lahad Datu attack, which made our teachers and other students cry, because they could feel the struggle of the national fighters,” he said, referring to the violent incursion by Sulu militants in eastern Sabah in 2013.
“I would not miss any chance to be involved in any celebration at the school level, where I once participated in a patriotic song choir competition,” Najwan said.
The Kelantan-born youth also remembered participating in a Keretapi Sarong event on Malaysia Day, where people were encouraged to use public transportation while wearing a sarong to celebrate it as a traditional attire in Malaysian culture.
“The last time I joined was before Covid-19, in 2019. That time, I went with a friend I knew on Twitter because I didn’t have any friends who joined.
“It was a great experience to meet new people on the train and sing childhood nursery rhymes like Rasa Sayang and Chan Mali Chan.
Maryam Jameela M. Nasir, 21, also mused over her experience celebrating Malaysia Day with her friends at the Keretapi Sarong event in 2019.
She remembered being astounded to see the diversity of Malaysians dressed in traditional attire.
“It is unusual for Malays to wear the kebaya daily, but being able to wear it in celebration of Malaysia Day made me more than proud to be Malaysian.”
One thing I still remember is the spirit on that day, when we started singing patriotic and traditional songs along our LRT journey from Gombak to Dataran Merdeka on the train. It was just tremendous.
“It was my first experience. It was bizarre at first, but throughout the journey, it felt quite heartwarming since everyone showed their love for being Malaysian despite being of different races,” Maryam said.
Festive cultural memories from Sarawak
Siti Norazimah Abdullah Sani, 22, a student of sociology and anthropology, said that Malaysia Day in her hometown in Sarawak was very festive with bazaars and concerts.
“I miss how it was back before the pandemic where we used to go for the concert and mingle around in the bazaar nearby.
“I also used to wait outside my house to see the motorbike convoy with Jalur Gemilang on Malaysia Day,” Azimah said.
It felt incomplete if we did not feature any of our traditional dances. This is a must-have as we put our pride in it,” she said.
Seeds of pride planted in school
Aisyah Farhana Mohd Fisal, 22, said she is grateful to be able to experience celebrating Malaysia Day in school. For her, it was indeed a great exposure.
“I still remember an event, Kayuhan Hari Malaysia, where a bicycle convoy came to my school compound with the national flag,” she said.
She and her friends also played many traditional games that they had not seen for ages.
“It brings back the memories of playing with those things when I was little,” Aisyah said, stressing that the enjoyment was shared with a sense of unity that cut across race and religion.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Syahmi Suhaimi, 22 and in his third year of studying English literature, said he always looks forward to celebrating Malaysia Day with his friends of different races.
Growing up with such friends made his life full of colour and taught him to respect others.
Attending SMK (national secondary school) and getting to know non-Malay friends such as Chinese and Indians helped me understand more about the diverse festivals or celebrations.
“It indirectly made me aware of the importance of respecting other people’s customs and cultures.
“When there are school holidays such as Deepavali Day or Chinese New Year, we are happy, because it is just like a school holiday that Malays like me are used to (having).
“As we grow older, we understand more about the meaning of Malaysia Day, because we have personally experienced what it unfolds within and among us. This is why Malaysia Day is a special occasion for me.” – The Vibes, September 16, 2022
