The Tunku’s Merdeka vision and the reality today
As Malaysians celebrate independence from Britain, it may be worthwhile to look back into the thoughts of the chief architect of the nation.
Those in the peninsula celebrate 56 years of freedom while those in Sabah and Sarawak celebrate the 50th year of independence.
As he had sat down to discuss and thrash out issues with the leaders of the other communities that made up Malaya (and now Malaysia), Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj would be the best person to refer to regarding the direction the founding fathers intended the nation to take.
For, his words will reflect the direction agreed to by all the leaders of independence, who were representatives of their respective communities.
And we can better understand what they had in mind and, therefore, see if things have worked out as they envisioned it. It could help us come to terms with, or change, what is happening today.
We all know that Tunku Abdul Rahman shouted “Merdeka” at the newly built Merdeka Stadium, followed by enthusiastic Malayans, on Aug 31, 1957, and a new nation came into being.
The proclamation of independence itself is rather short, but this is how it ends: “The Persekutuan Tanah Melayu…is an independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.”
That, in a sentence, encapsulates the founding fathers’ domestic and foreign policies.
At home, Malayans (and now Malaysians) should enjoy liberty and justice, and on the foreign front, Malaya (and now Malaysia) would pursue a policy of friendship and promote peace.
Is that the case today? Are Malaysians enjoying liberty? Are Malaysians experiencing justice? Is Malaysia promoting peace abroad?
I will call these three principles, or ideals, the main pillars of the nation as they are included in the proclamation of independence, and as no one in his right mind would argue that they are unfair or ill-conceived.
In his speech that day, the Tunku again referred to liberty and justice -- underscoring the importance of these two concepts for a multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural nation.
He said: “At this solemn moment, therefore, I call upon you all
to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new
Malaya: to work and strive with hand and brain to
create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice
and liberty – a beacon of light in a disturbed and
distracted world.”
The question is, are we a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world or have we become disturbed and distracted as well?
In his speech that day, the Tunku said: “Today, a new page is turned and Malaya steps forward to take her rightful place as a free and independent partner in the great community of nations – a new nation is born, and though we fully realise
that difficulties and problems lie ahead, we are confident that, with the blessing of God, these difficulties will be overcome and that today’s events, down the avenues of history, will be our
inspiration and our guide.”
I wish to draw attention to the last part of the above sentence where the first prime minister says: “…today’s events, down the avenues of history, will be our inspiration and our guide”.
Are the events – or the spirit -- of Aug 31, 1957, still guiding the government and all Malaysians?
Talking about his plans as prime minister, the Tunku said, as reported in the Straits Times of Aug 29, 1957: “Our first duty will be to satisfy the needs of the people and the country. We shall see that all the benefits of true democratic freedom are enjoyed by the people. The multi-racial population must be taught to consider Malaya their home.”
Speaking at the Alliance-party organised gathering at the Selangor Cub field about midnight on Aug 30, 1957, the Tunku said:
“It is freedom for the Malayan people and once this torch of freedom is lit let us hold it up high so that all around us will glow with radiant happiness.
“Let freedom be secured for all the law-abiding people. There shall be freedom of worship, freedom of speech, freedom from want, freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of movement. Let us be free from the menace of Communist terrorism.”
Certainly we are free from the menace of communist terrorism, but what about the other freedoms that Bapa Merdeka and his compatriots envisaged? How much of these freedoms have been achieved?
He also gave a bit of advice to everyone that night: “No matter who you are, live in harmony in this glorious land of ours.”
How many of us are following his advice? How many of us think only of our needs and the needs of our community?
An interview with the Tunku, published in the Sunday Times of Sept 1, 1957, offers some insight into his thoughts during the formation of the Federation of Malaya.
Among other things he said Malaya had inherited a civil service from the British “which is marked by honesty and integrity”.
Is the civil service still marked by honesty and integrity?
On helping the poor, he said more would be done for the fishermen and farmers, including through the opening up of land schemes.
He added: “The government plans to establish various banks which will help the small businessman and the peasant. These will help the lot of the poorer people, particularly the Malays.
“All it will need then – if not now – is for the Malays to help themselves. They cannot expect the government to do everything for them. They cannot rest on the rights that have been given to them in the new Constitution.
“They must contrive to improve their own lot. The opportunities are there for them to take.”