Flying the Flag in my Heart

        As Bulan Kemerdekaan (Independence Month) approaches its end, it is apt to dedicate a post to my beloved country. I cannot help but swell with pride as I think of how much progress Malaysia has achieved in fifty five years. From being a little known post-colonial country, she has made herself seen and heard. And for this, we have Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, our fourth Prime Minister, to thank for.

        In recent years, there have been constant calls to fly the Jalur Gemilang, our national flag, in conjunction with Bulan Kemerdekaan. I applaud all the patriotic Malaysians out there who answer the call. My dad, who is one of the most patriotic men I have ever seen, never fails to fly the flag in front of our house.
        However, I do not need to join the ranks of those who fly the Jalur Gemilang, be it in front of houses or atop cars, to affirm my patriotism. I love my country in my own way and fly the flag in my heart.
        As a teacher, I make it my responsibility to instil in my young impressionable charges the love for our country. Come National Day every year, I ask my students what Hari Kebangsaan means to them. I get them to write down their honest answers (after a little brainwashing by doling out examples of answers like "It is a day to be grateful for freedom and prosperity", "It is a day to appreciate the present and work hard for the future"). Then we stick their answers on the class noticeboard as part of the class decoration for National Day.
        Should anyone speak bad about my country, I will not hesitate to defend her. From young, I have witnessed how my dad swiftly rises to the defense of Malaysia whenever a Singaporean relative belittles our country. I do not mind being branded as rude and disrespectful should I answer back an elder when he or she is condemning my country.
        The on-going branding of 1Malaysia to stress on national unity and ethnic tolerance does not stir much excitement in me. And this is not because I do not love my fellow Malaysians of other races. I most certainly do, and already practise the ideology. I definitely do not need a "wake-up call" to stand united and to live in harmony. One of my best buddies in primary school was a Malay girl. I used to go to her house on Saturdays and we would have tons of fun together. In university, one of my closest chums was an Indian girl and the two of us engaged in a lot of mischief together. Whilst teaching in Sabah, I gained two very good friends, one being an Orang Asli from Perak and another being a Malay. After getting our respective transfers nine years ago, we are still in constant contact. When this Malay friend required financial assistance upon her husband's sudden demise a few years back, she turned to me and I did not disappoint her. Isn't this what 1Malaysia is all about?
        I have never taken part in National Day parades or flocked to the stadium to attend concerts held in tandem with the celebration. But that does not make me any less patriotic. I celebrate National Day in my own way.
        Remembering to pray for my country is more important, I believe. This, I do, from time to time, when I lead the prayer during the school assembly on Mondays. This, I also do, on National Day and on Malaysia Day.

        So as we celebrate Malaysia Day on Sunday (16 September), I thank God for blessing our country with peace and prosperity. I pray that Malaysia will continue to enjoy these, and more. And after my morning prayer, I shall have my kopi-o ais and nasi lemak for breakfast, and then buy a big packet of kacang putih to munch on for the day. 
        Happy Malaysia Day!!!