Every year on 31 August, we wrap ourselves in the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) and celebrate Merdeka (independence) and national day.
We remember that day in 1957 when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed “Merdeka!” seven times before the national anthem was played for the first time and the flag raised.
It’s a moment that reminds us that it wasn’t just independence from colonial rule. It was also the birth of a new nation that unites diverse ethnic groups.
But unity isn’t something that lives in history books, parades or speeches. It gets tested, sometimes in ways that are big and shocking, other times in ways that are small and unintentional.
When the flag was upside down
Not long ago, a photo of the Malaysian flag displayed upside down made the rounds. For some, it looked like an insult. But the truth? It was just a mistake.
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Flags are sometimes displayed the wrong way through carelessness, not malice. Whilst it’s important to treat our national symbols with respect, it’s just as important not to let simple human error divide us.
If we lash out over every small slip-up, we risk tearing ourselves apart over things that weren’t even meant to hurt.
Unity isn’t about perfection. It’s about giving each other the benefit of the doubt and remembering that intentions matter most.
When Rafizi’s son was attacked
Then came something no one could brush aside. On 13 August, the 12-year-old son of Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli was attacked in a shopping mall in Putrajaya. A man allegedly approached him and injected him with a syringe before fleeing with an accomplice on a motorbike.
This wasn’t politics. This wasn’t protest. This was violence against a child. And there’s no other way to say it: it was completely contrary to the values we all cherish.
Leaders across the political divide have condemned the act. Ordinary people were horrified. This is because, deep down, we all know this isn’t who we are. We argue, we disagree, we shout at each other online – but we do not target the innocent. Not children. Not families. That line must never be crossed.
What these incidents teach us
Both the upside-down flag and the attack on Rafizi’s son carry lessons about unity. The first episode reminds us to show patience when mistakes happen. The second forces us to draw a firm boundary against violence and intimidation.
Simply put, whilst we must respect our national symbols, we must also be charitable when errors are made. We must also reject violence completely as it goes against everything we in Malaysia stand for.
Remember that Merdeka isn’t just about freedom from colonial rule. It’s about how we live together today.
The real test of Merdeka
It’s easy to wave the flag on 31 August and sing patriotic songs. The real test of Merdeka comes when things go wrong. Do we overreact to mistakes, or do we choose understanding? Do we stand united when the vulnerable are attacked, or do we let silence make us complicit?
If we can choose wisely in those moments, then Merdeka, our national day, is more than a celebration. It’s a way of being people who cherish the land and all its inhabitants, every single day.
Selamat Hari Merdeka!
Chris Chong
Co-editor, Aliran newsletter
14 August 2025
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