I was born in Penang, in a corner of old George Town,
My body ebony black, or perhaps beautifully brown,
The nurses were confused, they peered at my mother,
She smiled mysteriously and pointed at my brother.

She said : “Her brother is Malay, and so is this baby.”
“But she’s black!” they cried, “it really cannot be!”
My mother became silent, contemplating my fate,
If ‘Indian’ was to be the race in my birth certificate.

She was right to be worried, her concerns were clear,
Where would I study? Education today was so dear !
Being Indian would not help me get into university,
To study medicine, which for Indians is a top priority !

The nurses told her not to worry, her baby was Malaysian,
“We’re all the same, see our advertisement - Truly Asian!
It’s nationality that matters in the end, we’re Malaysian, you see,
Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban... we’re the same, don’t you agree?”

“Have you not heard of the 1Malaysia policy?
Equality, unity, harmony and meritocracy !
We’re most fortunate to live in this country,
Freedom and liberty, a bastion of democracy!”

“Our constitution is clear; our rights are codified,
Fairness, justice - why do you look mystified?
Independence of the judiciary and the rule of law,
Dictatorship, fear and rule by law, whoever saw?

“Forget May 13, its scars the wounds of history,
Tales of our forefathers, they are not our story,
Fear not, for there will be no violence nor riot,
No revolution will happen here, you silly idiot!”

“What’s that about 1MDB and the Bersih Rally?
It’s all so silly, the government is right, clearly !
Being Malaysian, can we not show more gratitude?
Be thankful for what we get, show the right attitude !”

Malaysian children are taught from very young,
Their Rukunegara values and the Jalur Gemilang,
Respect for all races and their respective festivals,
Open houses a must, when eating we’re not rivals.

“Rendang, Ketupat, Char Kuay Teow and Biryani,
For a Malaysian tummy, everything is yummy,
Food is most unifying, and always will be,
The reality of 1Malaysia only then we see.”

“Thank you, nurses, for your wise insight”,
My mother carried me and held me tight.
“I’d like to rest now, and privately ponder,
On being Malaysian and quietly wonder.

MEERA BADMANABAN is an ordinary Malaysian citizen who wishes her Motherland a peaceful and prosperous Selamat Hari Merdeka.