I think malaysiakini has done well in inviting patriots of critical thinking to reflect on the meaning of Merdeka.
However, malaysiakini also seems to have unconsciously been trapped by the propaganda of Umno's supremacy in dating Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957.
As a matter of historical fact, Aug 31,1957 was the date of Peninsular Malaya obtained independence. The exact date of Malaysia's 'Merdeka', which included Sabah and Sarawak should be Sept 16, 1963.
Dating Aug 31, 1957 as the Merdeka for Malaysia is not only a distortion of historical fact but also a projection of the neo-colonialism of the peninsula's Malay ruling elite in the subjugation of Sabah and Sarawak whose indigenous languages, cultures and traditions are not Malay.
Moreover, Aug 31, 1957 is a meaningless date for the majority of Sarawakians and Sabahans because it does not make any sense for us to celebrate the mere replacement of British colonialism with Umno's neo-colonialism.