Merdeka Day smeared by federal gov't

comments     P Ramasamy     Published     Updated

ADUN SPEAKS There might be a consensus if someone says that Merdeka Day is the least politicised event in Malaysia.

Every year on Aug 31, Malaysians of all walks of life would put aside their political, ethnic and religious differences to mark the national day, the day the country obtained its political independence from the British colonial power on August 31, 1957.

However, recent events indicate that even the Merdeka Day might not be able to withstand the pressure of politics.

For the last seven years or so, without fail, the Penang state government celebrated the national day with pomp and festivity. State and federal government agencies - without fail - take part in the march graced by the Governor of Penang.

In previous years, the Penang government had its own theme, whereas the federal government had its own. There was no problem with the differences in the sub-themes, as the overriding theme was Merdeka Day.

Therefore, there being a problem in the choice of theme by the Penang government this year seems a mystery!

Two days ago, on Aug 20, 2015, a letter from the Penang education department signed by the director gave instructions to all government and government-aided schools not to take part in the Penang government’s Merdeka festivity.

Why such a directive was sent became clear as soon as the letter was received by the schools. The letter by the director was subsequently leaked and went viral on the Internet!

Apparently, the Education Ministry was advised that the National Security Council was not happy that the Penang government’s sub-theme of ' Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah ' was not acceptable as it bore affinity to the Bersih movement and its intention to organise protests on Aug 29 and 30, 2015, with the aim to remove Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

A Mahathir slogan

Whether the Education Ministry is aware of the fact or not that the sub-theme adopted by the Penang government was a slogan popularised when Mahathir Mohamad was the prime minister of the country.

Bersih movement came into being a few years ago and the sub-theme has no relationship with this movement. We also understand most federal government agencies have no problem with this sub-theme and are keen to take part in the Merdeka Day event.

This year’s Merdeka Day event in Penang like the earlier years is all about remembering the historic occasion of independence to Malaysia. It is a national public holiday when hundreds and thousands of Malaysians in Penang come together to share their enthusiasm and love for their nation.

It is not understandable why the federal government wants to bring in politics to cast aspersion on the Merdeka Day celebration in Penang. This is an event where Malaysians, irrespective of their regional affiliations, come to think and act as Malaysians.

According to the latest news, Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid had said that the ban on schools will continue.

However, Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, who is in Hong Kon,g said that sub-theme will remain and that the Penang government would act appropriately if the ban on schools is enforced.

The federal government’s theme for this year’s Merdeka Day is ' Sehati, sejiwa ' (one heart, one soul). The Penang government’s slogan in no way contradicts with the one by the federal government. Why all the fuss about just one word - ‘bersih’? Does the use of the word ‘bersih’ prick the conscience of those ministers in the federal government?

Why has the slogan or sub-theme become so sensitive in such a short span of time? Does this have anything to do with the state of affairs of the nation and the scandal associated with 1MDB or the money that Najib has received in his accounts?

Dampening the Merdeka spirit

I don't think the Penang government will be intimidated by the threats of non-participation of schools. School children, parents, teachers and headmasters are looking forward to this historic occasion.

However, the dictatorial directive of the ministry sent through the education department would have the effect of preventing schools from participating from this event.

If such a thing happens, the public in Penang would never forgive or forget the treachery committed by the federal government. Forget about winning Penang in the next general elections. It would be just a walkover for the opposition forces!

Merdeka Day is something above politics. No government - whether federal or state - has the right to prevent people from participating in the momentous occasion. Even if the schools do not take part, Penang would still go ahead with the events on Merdeka Day, come this Aug 31, 2015.

P Kamalanathan, the deputy education minister, said that the Penang sub-theme went against national interests. This person who is prone to playing second fiddle to Umno politicians does not know what he utters sometimes.

It is better for Kamalanathan and Osman Hussain, the current director of education in Penang, to zip it up if they have nothing to say to Penangites.

Osman should understand that non-participation of schools in Penang would not paralyse the Merdeka Day events but it suggests the paralysis of his own mind and that of his superiors!


P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the assemblyperson for Perai. He is also chairperson of the Penang government task force on deaths in custody.



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