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<\/p>\nMerdeka literally means freedom and independence, but it can also symbolize much more. It goes without saying that Hari Merdeka can invoke national pride even in those who don\u2019t consider themselves very patriotic.<\/p>\n\n
So, to find out what Merdeka means to the average Malaysian, we asked 5 of our own CompareHero.my staff what Merdeka means to them. We interviewed employees from different departments, and got some very interesting and meaningful answers. Read on to find out what they said!<\/p>\n
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What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka? How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times? Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it? How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation? List 3 things you like most about Malaysia. What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia? Is there anything else you would like to share on how you feel about Merdeka? What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka? How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times? Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it? How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation? List 3 things you like most about Malaysia. What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia? Is there anything else you would like to share on how you feel about Merdeka?<\/strong><\/em> Eu Jin also shared with us a picture he took of this famous landmark in Malaysia\u2014the KL Tower:<\/p>\n What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka? How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times? Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it? How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation? List 3 things you like most about Malaysia. What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia? Is there anything else you would like to share on how you feel about Merdeka? What’s your earliest memory of Merdeka? How did you and your family celebrate Merdeka in pre-Covid-19 times?<\/strong><\/em> Do you have a favourite Merdeka song? If yes, what is it? How would you pass on the patriotic spirit of Merdeka to the next generation? List 3 things you like most about Malaysia. What are your hopes and dreams for Malaysia? <\/strong><\/em>
<\/strong><\/em>Before the pandemic, watching the Merdeka parade.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>We celebrated it like a festive season\u2014played some Merdeka songs, raised the Jalur Gemilang at home, or on our cars. We don’t have the parade or the fireworks anymore during the pandemic, but we can still show our support through social media, upload some pictures, share some positive words, and celebrate Merdeka virtually.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>Negaraku by Faizal Tahir, it has a very strong message and lyrics.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>The easiest way to inject the patriotic spirit is to start with the flag. I start with my daughter and our little siblings first, teaching them the importance of treating our Jalur Gemilang with care and respect. The flag is not something that can be toyed with, it holds the country’s history, image and people’s unity. Raise and wave it proudly during the Merdeka month.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>Malaysia is GOLD. Rich with race and culture, rich with food variety and so rich with so many holiday places!<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>I hope for 3 NOs in Malaysia. No racism, no bribe and no war.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>I hope everyone will keep on having the Merdeka spirit despite whatever situation we are in that may involve politics or any other sensitive issues. Merdeka is all about celebrating our nation\u2019s freedom from any outsider\u2019s control, and our country’s history of independence. <\/p>\nEu Jin, General Manager<\/h2>\n
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<\/strong><\/em>The mornings usually started with the sounds of jets or helicopters for the ceremony followed by the morning tunes on RTM1.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>This feels like ages ago (pre-Covid-19), but in most cases it would end up being a day spent at home with the family, with good ol’ Malaysian food by the side\u2014nasi lemak, roti canai, you name it.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>Yes\u2014Tanggal 31, hands down!<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>By getting them to appreciate the uniqueness of Malaysia as a country, where we are a multi-cultural, multi-racial country, and no one should take that away from us.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>Our food, the rakyat, & the fact that it is home.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>To bring back the Rakyat Spirit of unity within, and focus on getting ourselves back to the ‘Asian Tiger’ status which we used to enjoy in the early ’90s, and not forgetting, to get out of our current Covid-19 situation soon.<\/p>\n
Merdeka acts as a good reminder for all of us to be proud as a Malaysian.<\/p>\n![\"what-does-merdeka-mean-to-you-interview-03-768x1024\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/144634072.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net\/hubfs\/144634072\/assets_comparehero\/what-does-merdeka-mean-to-you-interview-03-768x1024.jpg?w=407&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nKrystal, Customer Service Manager<\/h2>\n
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<\/strong><\/em>When I think of Merdeka and its meaning, the image that comes to mind is still the iconic video of Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaiming \u201cMerdeka\u201d seven times at Stadium Merdeka.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>My husband (who is a foreigner) had the opportunity to hand-make some Merdeka-themed handicrafts with the help of my young toddler. From making hibiscus flowers using colour papers to making a mini flag and painting it to have them placed at the living hall. While our family were busy completing these tasks, mummy was busy sharing stories about how unique Malaysia is on a whole. <\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>Tanggal 31.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>As we revisit our history, we also need to teach them about what happened in the past. It\u2019s not just about encouraging them to decorate or make flag designs for this event. It helps if we also explain the flag, the colors, and why we are celebrating Merdeka in the first place. It would be a good history lesson for the younger generation.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>1) Diversity of races, religions, and cultures
2) Standout dishes, especially Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak.
3) Beautiful beaches and secluded islands<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>1) The government must remember that to ensure the right communities are being targeted, we need to approach poverty differently.
2) Greater protection for the environment.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>The excitement of hearing fighter jets thundering overhead for the Merdeka Day parade gives me goosebumps. <\/p>\nNajiha, Graphic Designer<\/h2>\n
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<\/strong><\/em>Quizzes, poetry, poster drawing and class decorating competitions in school and we dressed up in our traditional costumes during the Merdeka celebration!<\/p>\n
We would go downtown to watch firework displays and we had dinner together!<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>Tanggal 31.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>By showing more appreciation to the diverseness of our people like the ethnicities, languages and religions, to explore more hidden gems in Malaysia, to have them familiarize themselves with old patriotic-theme songs, and to have them learn more about Malaysia\u2019s history of independence.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/em>The food, the places and its people.<\/p>\n
My hope is that Malaysia continues to be a prosperous country for the new generations to come and for our people to fight Covid-19 together!<\/p>\n
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