16th or 31st?

Article submitted for Malaysia Today

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Today marks the 45^th year that the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed Malaysia. Some argue that the 16^th September 1963 should be the National Day (Malaysia Day) and not 31^st August 1957. I am indifferent to the whole debate.

“45 or 51 years of independence…sama saja bah kan dad? They’re just numbers anyway,” I nonchantly say to my father as he reads his morning papers; prior to our trip back to my paternal grandparents home.

He puts down his newspaper and chides, “Pon, don’t you know our history?”

I brace myself for a long lecture. Just as I begin zoning off, (an art I’ve learnt to do well after much practice growing up), I am incongruously captivated by my father’s rapt history-telling.

Could it be, that dad has finally found a loophole to my listening skills which were flouting? Or was I (gasp!), sitting on one side of the fence now?

Growing up, my father was the disciplinarian of the family. He was no tyrant, but he instilled enough respectful fear within us, to make sure we did ‘no nonsense’. Blaming my middle child syndrome, he had quite a tough time with me. Not only did I do the complete opposite of what was suggested, I deliberately contested every statement or story that he told my siblings and I. Looking back, I disputed him not because I was inquisitive, but for the mere sake of arguing. I had (foolishly) thought, that as long as we were communicating, even if we were at each other’s throats disputing one another, we were talking. Strange but true.

Fast forward the years, I am back home for my Balik Kampung shoot (ROAD HOME WITH SMILES; OCT 22nd 9pm ntv7) where I take viewers to my hometown and show them places where I grew up. My semi-retired father, has been given the job to be my driver and our tour guide – a role he does well with much endearing pride.

So here I am, less rebellious with my little Isobel in tow, listening to my father’s justification on why the 16^th September 1963 is a significant day for the Sabahans and Sarawakians; minutes before we are to meet the crew for a trip down to Tambunan.

Enlightening us, I ignored the natural response to debate. I was no longer apathetic. I was enthralled and mesmerized and I was LISTENING. I finally understood why he silently, along with some other not-so-silent citizens, was ‘fighting’ for the acknowledgement of this date. As the rest of the family joins in to our discussion, he shares his sentiments on our current political situation and we laugh at some comical suggestions he makes for the ‘betterment of the country’.

He gently takes Isobel away from me and holds her high above his head, an affection routine he did with my siblings and I. She squeals in delight and as he swirls her around he lovingly says to her, “Bel, aki sayaaaang you bah…you don’t be like your mum kio? Don’t be ignorant about your history…know your roots…understand your culture and always be humble kio?” My instinct to correct him was abandoned as I saw the cheeky twinkle in my daddy’s eyes reflected back to his grand-daughter.

Yes. Today is the 16^th September, the date when the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed Malaysia. So, is the 31^st August or 16^th September the National Day? I am sure this discussion will continue to be debated amongst ourselves, but till an official decision is made, I am happy to know the thorough history behind these dates. Ignorance is not all bliss. And I’ll make sure Isobel knows this too.