Since its inception in 2010, Malaysia Day has been held on September 16 to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation on the same date in 1963.
Celebrated in lieu with Independence Day on 31st August, Malaysia Day extends the spirit of patriotism among the hearts of Malaysians. To share the spirit of Malaysia Day, we reached out to some of Malaysia’s familiar faces to share their hopes for Malaysia Day 2013. Check out what the beautiful people of Malaysia have to say :-
Ning Baizura – Singer & Actress
1) What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
My wish for Malaysia is to sustain its stability by being a peaceful nation, have better development in service and management sector, also more awareness on environment and healthier lifestyle! Happy Malaysia Day!
2) Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
I look up to all of our Prime Ministers and leaders of Malaysia. My favourite has got to be Tunku Abd Rahman.
Nadine Ann Thomas – Miss Universe Malaysia 2010 & DJ
1) What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
I wish simply for our country to continuously progress with a unified mindset of “for the love of our country”. We are one nation, one “rakyat” and we are not and should not be segregated by race, religion or skin tone.
2) Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
There isn’t one or two individuals I see as my malaysian Idol – Malaysians like Yasmin Ahmad stand up for what they believe in, they force us to see the grey areas that we sometimes pretend are invisible to us. They change mindsets and break barriers contributing to a better society leaving us to remember their message even after they are gone. These are my Malaysian heroes.
Henry Golding – TV Host
1) What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
I hope for Malaysians all over to really accept racial equality and not just boast of a one Malaysia when there is still one rule for one and another rule for someone else. Equal standings, please 🙂
2) Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
Ida Nerina. She is such a powerful woman who under such immense challenges has continued to become a force to be reckoned with in the arts.
Chermaine Poo – Actress, TV Host & Chartered Accountant
I hope all Malaysians, irrespective of race and religion, will continue to live harmoniously and peacefully together. To achieve that, I hope our elected leaders and senior civil servants will take the lead to promote understanding and tolerance and refrain from raising or supporting contentious racial and religious issues.
Dennis Lau – Violinist & Songwriter
Q. What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
I wish for a corruption-free Malaysia, and a censor-free Malaysia.
Q. Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
Tunku Abdul Rahman. Without him, history would have not made the future today. A lot of people have forgotten him already, I guess.
Ash Nair – Actor
Q. What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
As a collective of personalities that make up this great nation, we have a responsibility to be the best representation of what we believe it is to be Malaysian. My hope for Malaysia Day this year is for us to reflect on ourselves as individuals, partners, parents, sons and daughters and as citizens. Let us be change we want to see.
Q. Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Megan Tan – TV personality
Q. What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
My wish for Malaysia Day is that we continuously work towards a better and cleaner Msia through our personal growth, good values and positive attitude.
Q. Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
My Malaysian heroes are Datuk Nicole David and Datuk Lee Chong Wei for obvious reasons.
Q. What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
To grow stronger in economy and tourism. And may all races in the country remain harmonious and hope Malaysia gets recognition throughout the world.
Q. Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
All the great people who had worked so hard contributing to the country and the nation too!
HeyMun Tan – Musician
Q. What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
To truly appreciate and celebrate our independence. One way to do that is to realise the value and privilege of being Malaysian. We are such unique gems,multi-faceted and diverse that we naturally have the edge to shine so brightly. I try to honour that advantage by challenging myself, getting out of my comfort zone and doing the very best that I can. I’m proud of my fellow Malaysians that have been doing that for many years now. Thank you for being such an inspiration, may we continue to grow and do our very best.
Q. Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
My father, mother and brother. They are extremely passionate, hardworking, loving and wonderful.Im blessed to be in their presence and company.
Deviyah Daranee – Miss Earth Malaysia 2012
Q. What’s your wish for our country on its upcoming Malaysia Day on Sept 16th?
Living in Malaysia is a gift in itself. Independence of over fifty years, shielded from the outrageous monsoon winds, protected from natural disasters, experiencing various cultures and the list is endless. My dream for Malaysia this Malaysia Day is to make peace with the environment and with our fellow Malaysians. Showered with the complex disaster-free environment, Mother Nature has been too kind to us. We in turn have taken a big swig out of her, taking advantage of her kindness. Should she revoke it, what would we do then? Let’s start at home, make simple things like recycling and using Eco friendly products part of our lifestyle. Walk to the nearest store, use less air- conditioner and aerosol sprays, find a bin to throw your rubbish. Yes, we’ve heard this too many times but how many of us actually follow it? Some of the best things about our country is the natural heritage and the friendly weather, let’s not loose these rights by living with Mother Nature instead of living against it.
We have always been known as the friendliest Asian country among the others, however as the century progresses, we have lost touch of our roots, traditions and even moral values. I used to walk down a street 10 years ago and have each and every person smile at me with eye contact. I walk down the same street now and I only see unwelcoming faces and a stench of strong ignorance in the air. I recall an incident where an old man in his seventies falling down in the middle of a bustling walkway, no one stopped to help the poor man get back on his feet. For them it was “Lifetime” channel going live on air. Of course, watching this misery, I ran across the road to give him a hand.
Where did our humility go? Have we buried our values forever? Vandalism and drug abuse only got worse, crime rates are boiling up! We have developed into a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Friendly neighbors are only heard of in stories. Now, it’s “Would they scratch my brand new Inspira if I park too close.”
We are a team, a team called Malaysia. I never knew the sweet taste of patriotism until I represented the country, wearing a proud sash. I was not known by name, I was known as Malaysia. It was then when I felt a strong love for the nation. All of us should stick together through thick and thin and blare our proud horns of patriotism so no one can break us. Take a small time out of this day to smile at a stranger, to help a disabled person, share some kuih-muih with your neighbour and wave at the homeless. Show that you care, this day in my opinion is all about making people happy and celebrating our values as Malaysians.
Q. Who is/are your Malaysian idol(s)/hero(es)?
My idols are the warriors who fought for our independence. They have gone through intense environments, hardships, physical and mental pain. Without each and every one of their courage and selflessness, we would not have had experienced the nectar of independence which we have to this day.
Stripped away from their families, the only thing that kept them going was Malaysia. The current generation should learn about the courage, determination and perseverance that these soldiers have reflected. Everyday should be a day of honoring these true heroes to do justice for their fight during battle, the love shown and patriotism they have reflected to give all of us OUR beautiful country of Malaysia.
Happy Malaysia Day everyone! Salam 1 Malaysia!
