50th Merdeka Anniversary

There is a bit of confusion at the current build -up to the 50th anniversary of our independence. To the peninsular Malaysians, the figure is correct, as they attained their independence on 31st August 1957. But, to the two Borneo states, our internal independence was declared on 31st August 1963 before we got together on 16th September 1963 with what was then Malaya, and Singapore to form Malaysia .

Strictly speaking Malaysia is only 44 years old, as there was no country called Malaysia before that. If there are going to be any celebrations, it must be the 44th anniversary and not 50th anniversary of our independence as a nation this year.

But, mention this to the people in charge, they will probably dismiss you without as much as listening to you because to them your version is definitely wrong. It is not a question of who is right or who is wrong here, but, what we need to do is to come to some kind of understanding over this fuzzy maths.

Every time these dates/years come up for discussion, the American example is cited. Many who dismiss this fuzzy maths as a non issue, contend that the original thirteen American colonies obtained their independence from the British on 4th July 1776, as they expanded westwards, the settlers annexed various territories at different times. Texas,for example, became independent from Mexico in 1836. California became the 31st state in 1850, Alaska and Hawaii became American states only in 1959.

So,what is the big deal? All Americans celebrate the 4th of July as their independence day, they argue. I have no problem celebrating the 31st of August as our independence day, but I am still fuzzy with the year - 1957 or 1963? 50th Independence day for Malaya or for Malaysia? As time goes by , I hope all this will not matter anymore. As our people become more Malaysian in their outlook, we will agree on one common date.

However, this will take a long time. Visitors from Borneo states are often asked by KL taxi drivers whether it is their first trip to Malaysia!?? Most people over there think Malaysia is only the peninsula .I asked one taxi driver why was this so, he told me because peninsular Malaysians need ICs/Passports to enter the Borneo states, thus, giving the impression that the two states are different from “Malaysia”!?

It can be very confusing if we want to split hairs . However, I would like to suggest that we emphasise more on the date rather than the year of our independence, if there is anything in common we have with regard to this, it is the 31st of August!