Happy Independence Day, Malaysia.. Merdeka!!!

Happy 51st Merdeka day to all Malaysians.. This year has been a very unique year for Malaysia as we as a nation are maturing and starting to free our mind from the authoritarian control and brainwash from the Malaysian government as previously before. Below are some unique quotes from bright minds that best describe our merdeka day this year:-

"The great civilisaton of the past do not have democracy and yet they became great.It's not necessary that the system will work for everybody. But if you have a bad leader , even the democracy system would fail. You must remember that in this democracy country which dropped atom bomb.. killing two hundred thousand people." - Tun Dr Mahathir

"Freedom is not merely the opportunity to do as one pleases; neither is it merely the opportunity to choose between set alternatives. Freedom is, first of all, the chance to formulate the available choices, to argue over them - and then, the opportunity to choose." - C. Wright Mills

"Human history begins with man's act of disobedience which is at the very same time the beginning of his freedom and development of his reason". - Erich Fromm

Petronas Ad on Merdeka Celebration. Very touching :)

Fly Jalur Gemilang the correct way

Federated Malay States (1896 to 1950)

Malaya (1950 to 1963)

Malaysia (current)

Above are our beloved flag design evolution over the years. The Malayan flag was actually designed by a person named Mohamed Hamzah, a 29-year-old architect working for the Public Works Department (JKR) in Johor Bahru back in the 1950s. He won by submitting the design in a competition. Some said that during that time, Communism was a great threat to the nation and Malaysia are seeking favour from America to ward off this threat. America at that time was heavily fighting communism in Vietnam. Therefore, Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted our flag to have some similarity to the American flag. Therefore, you can see that we have the same red and white stripes like the American flag. Nevertheless, our flag is the pride of our nation. Regardless of race, politics, or religion, we have the same flag to be proud of. So, as we celebrate our independence day this August, please do not fly the flag upside down as being promoted by some people. In the country history, many people have died trying to uphold this flag as it represents our sovereignity. For us to fly it upside down will only bring insult to all the people who have sacrificed and died for this country and uphelding this flag. Fly the flag with pride because as a Malaysian, this is the only flag that we have that represents our identity. Long live Jalur Gemilang!