Malaysia is a nation powered by 30 million people,
Not a nation imprisoned by the unscrupulous few.

Malaysia is a nation with a diverse ethnic makeup which number enters the hundreds,
Not a nation for one race, but a nation for all races.

Malaysia is a nation which magnetises our commonalities while celebrating our differences,
Not a nation which suppresses voices of dissent, voices of plurality, voices of the rakyat.

Malaysia is a nation of moderation,
Not a nation filled with bigotry, racism and intolerance.

Malaysia is a nation which gained independence due to the tireless efforts of all quarters of society,
Not a nation which independence is based on the hands of the few.

Malaysia is a nation of nasi lemak, roti canai, char kway teow, mee kolok, banana leaf rice, etc,
Not a nation of homogeneity but heterogeneity.

Malaysia is a nation of perseverance,
Not a nation of quitters, a nation of indifference, a nation of submission.

Our forefathers fought the British, the Portuguese, the Japanese, the communists together as one collective force,
I doubt that the tyranny today can match the tyranny of the past.
However I wish that the perseverance of the past can be injected in the hearts of the present.

Our forefathers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tan Cheng Lock, VT Sambanthan, Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng, Datu Bandar Abang Mustapha, and Ling Beng Siew fought for a common dream,
a common goal,
For Malaysians to be one.

Do not let the unscrupulous few rob us of our dream,
Do not surrender to those who intend to divide and conquer,
Do not relent in the face of adversities,
Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita roboh.

This is my house,
This is your house,
This is our house,
Our house forever.

Happy Malaysia Day.

SYED SADDIQ SYED ABDUL RAHMAN is a part-time lecturer at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Malaysia and is Asia’s best debater, winning the United Asia Debate Championship in May 2015.