After over five decades of independence, what does that very word, Merdeka, mean to us, the young people? We speak to several under 30s who share with us their take on Merdeka.

What does Merdeka mean to you? What do you feel when you hear the word, 'Merdeka'? Does "freedom" ring in the same sentence? Do you find a frisson of joy at having able to celebrate 52 years of peace, independence and unity? We speak to several young, successful people from all industries, to get a feel of this.

 

Ahmad Hafidz Hamdan Baharom Alam Shah, 26, columnist with the Malaysian Insider and Political Nutgraph.

Being only 26, Merdeka simply means to me that we have achieved independence and freedom from a foreign power.

But independence still does not equal freedom in many areas; such as freedom of expression. For me, I want the freedom to choose, and judge for myself what is right and wrong. There should be no censorship in the media, and especially not when our nation has been around for 52 years.

Being Merdeka for over five decades now, the time has come for both opposition and government to think of the people and the people's best interests, instead of moralising, restricting and controlling the very freedom which Merdeka stood for.

For the future of my country, I would like to see liberty and freedom of the people to make decisions for themselves, and an end to any and all laws that inadvertently, or purposefully, discriminate against minorities or the less-privileged. I want to see acceptance of all minorities; not just ethnic minorities, but also the minorities in social status, group or economic standing - the poor, the underprivileged or even those with different lifestyles. Then that, would truly be Merdeka. 

 

Datuk Nicol David, 26, ranked World No.1 in squash

Merdeka to me means that Malaysia has come a long way; such as now being at the top in the World in terms of sports and I've been fortunate enough to be part of this. The support from the Malaysian government to build top performance sports facilities leading up to the 1998 Commonwealth Games and sustaining continuous funding for sports that has potential for World status has given me a chance to become the best in my sport. This is what Merdeka signifies to me.

 

Huen Su Yin, 23, sugar artist, entrepreneur and owner of Delectable, a designer cake boutique.

Merdeka for me, is a day to celebrate the pride in being Malaysian. It's the diversity and our unique ability to live and grow as a multicultural community which makes me proud as I speak about Malaysia. Just think about all the remarkable cultures we've grown up to respect and understand; the variety of flavours we've been exposed to within the community we live in; and the fusion-ness of it all. Malaysia is a feast of inspiration and colour.

However, I would like love to see more and more Malaysian youth making a distinct mark on the world in their related fields, especially in terms of entrepreneurship. Personally, though, I can't wait to boast my nationality to people I meet from my travels abroad. When the time comes, I will introduce myself by saying: "Hi! I'm Su Yin and I'm Malaysian." 

 

Ashraf Sinclair, 30, actor

Merdeka to me means choice, freedom and responsibility. Being Merdeka, we have the freedom and ability to respond and make choices in our own lives. So, Merdeka is our own state of mind. It begins with freedom within ourselves. In the future, I want to see more appreciation for the arts.

Malaysia is looking for its own distinct culture - but if we stop looking and just realise what we have, we can begin to appreciate it. We shouldn't be limited by our own beliefs and understanding. We have to free ourselves from those limits. I want to see Malaysians proud to have local artists and performers achieve recognition. I want to see Malaysia become a hub for technology and ability in the arts.

In the end, I would say that young Malaysians need to be proud of what we have. Be grateful. Be happy but don't be satisfied or complacent. Malaysia needs the young to challenge the old mind sets. Stop judging the people around you and start reflecting on yourself. Change begins within you. Achieve your dreams and don't let anybody restrict your freedom. We are Merdeka, and that's the long and short of it.

 

Ng Khailee, 26, founder of YouthSays.com.

Merdeka to me is freedom to think - whether it means to think differently, or to think positive, or to think as a group. No matter what happens to us, we still can choose what to think; how we view things and how to respond constructively. A lot of exciting things are in store for our country in the next few years, and how we choose to use our freedom to think will decide if we're going to 'grow up' to be a 'first world nation' or not.

 

Soo Wincci, 24, Miss World Malaysia 2008/2009, singer, composer and actress.

Merdeka has a significant meaning in my life.  The word Merdeka holds not only the memory of freedom for our country, but it reminds us of our roots, of our ability to be united and harmonious. We are not perfect - but I remind myself all the time that without Merdeka, I would probably have never achieved what I have. I only hope that in the future, our entertainment industry would take off and become a hotspot for international as well as local talents. 

 

Tan Hui Ling, 25, aka Cheeserland, blogger

Merdeka, sadly, has recently lost its meaning for me. It's unfortunate that I now view it as a kind of holiday, to distress or to relax. Perhaps the reason is the big 'hoo-ha' that has been made of it. Merdeka has, over the years, been turned into a pipe-dream promise of 2020 and 1Malaysia, when it really should go right down to the grass roots of people's interests first. Merdeka should lie in the idea of freedom and equality - and even in something as simple as taking a taxi without getting ripped off!

After all, I, for one, would like to get a cab without being cheated, or told that they won't fetch me to my location. Being a first-class nation is a fantastic thing, but when a citizen cannot even count on honest cabbies, what is there to say about anything else?

 

Leona Chin Lyweoi, 23, entrepreneur, drift car racer, ambassador for Puma and Malaysian International Road Safety Exhibition

To me, Merdeka means harmony and unity among all races in Malaysia, that we celebrate Merdeka to show appreciation to what we have achieved over  52 years. All in all, I'm proud to be a Malaysian.

I hope to see for the future of our country, there has to be more road safety awareness, there are many fatalities on the road everyday  due to negligence and carelessness, is very sad to hear it and see the pictures, and  I hope that Malaysians will care more about road safety. I hope that the young people will love Malaysia and celebrate the day that Malaysia got its independence, Celebrate 1Malaysia, Celebrate Unity! Be proud to be Malaysian.

 

Amber Chia, 27, model, actress and author

When I think of Merdeka I think of togetherness - as Malaysians, we must look at our 52 years of independence as a result of 52 years of solidarity and unity. Every Malaysian is a part of Merdeka, and that is what we should keep in mind - it means a lot not just to me, but it should mean a lot to all Malaysians as well. We still have much we can improve on, but improving a country is not easy. If we stand together and act as one, maybe our Prime Minister's vision on 1Malaysia will be a reality. It is sad that young people don't care enough, but they must remember that it is not about us, it is about our future generation. To create a true Merdeka means securing their future as well, in all aspects from peace to the environment. And also, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Merdeka!

 

Mia Palencia, 29, singer and composer

It's rather unconventional: but I find myself at a loss with what to say about what Merdeka means to me. See, two years ago I wrote a song about Malaysia and being Malaysian. And so, in answer to the question of what Merdeka means to me, I think the lyrics to my song will answer it in the best way I know. It's called 'I Am', and somehow, I find that these lyrics capture exactly what I want to say.

I AM

I am a village, where the buffalo graze

Where the fields grow paddy, the rivers run murky and the farmers' wives age

Tired hands tend tired plants, little feet run bare

Young hearts flee to bigger cities just as soon as they dare

I am a village out on my own

I am a sunset

I am home.

 (the song, I Am, can be streamed from www.miapelencia.com)

 

Ammy Juliet Jefery Gilimon, 26, administrator with the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) 

Merdeka to me is freedom. There are countries at war and turmoil - in our country we have our freedom and peace. We should all remember that and be grateful for it. Still, I would like to see Malaysia with more freedom of speech - religiously, politically and even as an individual. We should be more open to what is deemed as a sensitive issue: what makes an issue 'sensitive' is only the label we give to it. We're talking about issues such as religion, race or sex.  By never talking about what we call 'sensitive', it will forever remain an issue, and it will forever be a vicious cycle. We need to bear in mind that any changes can only take place when we start from within ourselves. Our mere presence is already a catalyst to change that we all have been yearning for.  

 

Wong Yu Vee, 29, Director of Special Initiatives, My MoneyTree Malaysia and entrepreneur.

Merdeka is a celebration of nationhood, brotherhood and more importantly, a celebration of humanity that transcends all colour, race, gender, political inclination, religion and dogma. It is a celebration of peace, joy, and harmony among all Malaysians as it reflects our uniqueness as a nation consisting people from different races, religious backgrounds, and political views. It is also a celebration of awareness; understanding that at the core of it all, we are all living and sharing a space in this country we call home.

Merdeka isn't a day on the calendar where we have processions, or a day where we put our differences aside just for the sake of the festivities. It is, and should be, a day to start putting our differences aside, and focus on more important issues that would help our country propel forward into the future.

 

Prema Yin, 23, singer and songwriter

Merdeka to me represents the freedom to express individuality. As a musician I think it is very vital to be myself when I am presenting my art. Most importantly, I am happy that we live in a multi racial country where everyone lives harmoniously. Where I was born and raised, I never experienced racism or anything of the sort and I am very blessed in that sense. But what I want most, come this Merdeka, are cleaner public toilets, less traffic jams and less potholes!   

 

Keevan Raj, 30, ex-national hockey player and CEO of Ostel Sdn Bhd

Independence is what I think first when I hear the word Merdeka. The fact that we are still very much a socially stable country is something I am very thankful for. Seeing all the turmoil that's happening in other countries around the world, I'm just thankful that I live here in Malaysia.

But I do have one gripe: I think that there's too much censoring when it comes to foreign movies. I understand that the government has a job to do when it comes to protecting what content can be shown. But over recent times some of the censoring is downright ridiculous.

 

Fairuz Fauzy, 27, driver for team MofazFortec in the World Series by Renault

 Merdeka, to me, beckons for us to remember our roots, and how our forefathers fought tirelessly to gain the nation's independence. The freedom that we Malaysians enjoy today inspires me to plan ahead and think of the future, which also enables me to give back to the nation and our youths, after being blessed all these years.

Closer to my heart, I would love to see more pro-active motorsport activities and events being created and promoted for people from all walks of life, so that our local motorsport scene will gain global recognition soon!
 

John Lee, 19, writer

I think Merdeka means freedom, obviously, but I also believe freedom goes beyond the narrow definitions most people apply to it. Freedom is so much more than being free from British rule; it is also to be free from corruption, prejudice and narrow-mindedness that sometimes come from the less-conscientious of those in power. 

We need a true freedom so we can be free to live, love and laugh as we please, without a government eager to censor, cannonade, or clamp down on us in certain things. After all, despite the often ridiculous things one finds on the Internet, the people have not taken arms and rioted. This is simply due to the fact that the people recognise what is right and wrong - and a true freedom of speech will not result in pandemonium! For me, freedom of speech is integral to a successful developed democracy, and I want it to extend beyond the internet, to the papers and the universities and the airwaves as well.

 

Tham Zher Peen, aka Zher, 23, TV presenter and 8TV Quickie host

Merdeka is about celebrating our country's independence and identity as a nation. Personally for me, it is a time to observe and be reminded of the processes in time--how we achieved it, who did it; and how we are connected with it, and whether our forefather's vision is carried through.

Being in the media industry though, I really aspire for freedom of speech and creative expression- for the youth to rise up to the challenge of freeing local media of too much foreign influence and liberate their minds  to create better, original content.

If I could give a shout out to all my fellow youth, it would be this: Malaysia's independence was fought together by all races and parties in the effort of building one nation without boundaries, be it race, gender or culture.

 

Dr Rajiv Bhanot, 26

Merdeka basically means the end of the divide and rule approach that the British used on us Malaysians, giving us the ability to work together as a family irrespective of race and religion in order to move forward and achieve greatness as a nation. Have we really achieved Merdeka?

What makes me really happy being a Malaysian is the simple fact that this beautiful country is the melting pot of many different races and cultures, all living together under one roof without there being any form of favoritism shown towards any certain group. Equal opportunities are given towards everyone when it comes to scholarships for higher education, contracts for various projects and appointments to various positions without there being the slightest hint of racial discrimination.

We should start realising that only if we don't start working together as a nation, irrespective of political views, race and religion, our dreams of becoming a fully developed nation structurally, economically and individually by the year 2020 will only remain a dream.

 

Ganesh Kumar Bangah, 29

Merdeka basically means independence. But more than that, it is an important day for our country as it marks the day that we became free from being ruled by foreigners.

It was the day that started our country as Malaysia. A day that all of us became one.

With the strong emphasis on the ICT industry through the launch of MSC Malaysia in 1995, what I would like to see the most is the fruits of MSC Malaysia coming up. To be able to see our local efforts becoming global successes.

For the youth of today, I'd just like to remind them to celebrate Merdeka together as one Malaysia.