Whither Patriotism?

"Sungguh gemilang negeri ku
Yang ku puja, oh tanah air ku
Di merata dunia
Harum semerbak namamu oh Malaysia!"

So goes the lyrics of one of the many patriotic songs that were a part of my life when I was growing up. There were no LCDs, DVDs, computers and electronic gadgets then...we had to rely on our trusted Grundig radio (a German brand, no less!) for news and entertainment.

The radio took a central place in most modest homes then, usually lovingly covered with lacey, embroidered, material...and woe betide any curious, little hands that try to manipulate the knobs to turn up the volume or switch to another station. Due to less-than-satisfactory transmission resulting in crackling static, most times, we kids had to put our ears against the radio in order to enjoy the latest songs by the likes of R. Azmi (of Hitam Manis fame) or listen to ghostly stories in the series Seram! where announcers (they were not called deejays) not only had to narrate horror stories but also act as soundmen, producing sounds that would give us nightmares!

People of different races were caring neighbours, their children played together and politicians then never played the race card. Our leaders were more concerned about development and the rakyat (people) rather than whether one should drive a Perdana or Merc, liwat-meliwat (sodomy and to sodomize), swearing on the Quran to prove one's innocence and who was responsible for the grisly murder of Altantuya Shaaribu.

In days of yesteryears, the rakyat like my late father risked life and limb to defend the country against communist insurgency and sportsmen excelled not because of monetary rewards but love and pride for the country - in other words, patriotism.

In the STAR today, one of our politicians gave the excuse that the Beijing Olympics and the Permatang Pauh by-election had caused the rakyat to lose focus; hence the lack of enthusiasm for our upcoming 51st birthday on August 31. His statement gives the impression that patriotism can be turned on and off - like a faucet! Isn't patriotism supposed to be ingrained and not something a government had to cajole the rakyat into?

Our government leaders also lamented the fact that people no longer fly the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) these days. This is true; on the street where I live, of eighteen homes, only two (including mine) proudly fly the Jalur Gemilang. On the roads, there is also a dearth of vehicles flying the flag. Perhaps the high cost of petrol today is also to blame.

Jalur Gemilang outside my home

But can you blame the rakyat for the apathy given the antics of our leaders today? The average Mat, Ah Chong and Muthu only want a peaceful country where they can go about earning a decent living, put their children through college, and live the Malaysian dream. In March 2008, we have voted candidates of our choice into government to help us realize the dream but what do we get in return?

We are tired of the bickering, suing and counter-suing, name calling and preaching....just get on with the business of government and let us once again be proud of this nation as our forefathers were on August 31, 1957!

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!