By M Santhananaban
It is the start of August, and this month is of great significance to the people of Malaysia and quite a few other Asian countries.
In 1945, World War Two ended officially in Asia on 15 August. Both South and North Korea – among the worst victims of Japanese aggression and atrocities – celebrate their Independence Day on 15 August. Other Asian countries that observe Independence Day this month include India, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.
For the people of Malaya and Sabah, Merdeka (Independence) was highly significant when it happened peacefully on 31 August in 1957 and 1963. [Sarawak achieved self-government on 22 July 1963.]
But the day of even greater significance in hindsight is Malaysia Day. A new enlarged sovereign nation emerged from these three territories (and briefly, Singapore) on 16 September 1963.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN), Maybank a/c 507246118995 or CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra had beaten two other contestants to become the president of Umno in late August 1951. Later that year, he took up residence in Johor Bahru. He was slowly drawn into the activities of the diplomatic and consular cocktail circuit based in Singapore.
Singapore was an important listening post especially in the post-World War Two period to understand the geopolitics and nationalistic movements in the greater Asian region. The Tunku’s stay in Johor stood him in good stead to establish our own diplomatic service in 1957.
Today, we wake up to what hopefully will be the promise of a new nation. The government, in announcing the 13th Malaysia Plan, is emphasising a needs-based approach as opposed to an ethnicity-based approach to development.
To forge both harmony and national unity this innovative, inclusive and integrated policy is essential. Let us trust there will be acceptance of this inclusive approach.
Dato’ M Santhananaban is a retired Malaysian ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
