Merdeka!

*** Originally posted on the 23rd August 2006

Having the fact that my fellow Malaysians will be celebrating our 49th Independence Day in about a week’s time, I thought it may be a good idea to touch a bit on this topic.

Last night, I was fortunate enough to be invited to have dinner with my fellow German colleagues. SK (My blue-eyed Manager) decided that it’s only fair to take us somewhere I’d be comfortable with the food provided. So we went to this place Italian Restaurant called Grissini in Schwabing, the posh part of town in Munich. We started off having starters which consists of Cherry Tomatoes with olive oil and herbs on sliced fresh toast. Then the main course followed, a yummy creamy seafood linguini…it was GOOD! Full of wonderful seafood including Tintenfisch (as the Germans call it) which is basically calamari/sotong basah. Sehr schön!!!

This blog entry is not really about the full menu I had that evening…but it was more about the things which we’ve chatted about throughout dinner. It was an opportunity for my fellow German colleagues to get to know Malaysia a bit more. They were charmed at the fact that Malaysians are far more patriotic then their fellow Germans. The situation changed a bit during the World Cup festival. Prior to the World Cup, if a German is seen to be carrying or displaying their flag in the public, they are looked upon as Nazis. Yep, it’s true. The World Cup has done good for them. They are closer and more patriotic if compared to the past.

Carrying a German flag is not a sign of Nazi-ness anymore. There’s a sense of belonging now and they are glad that this has happened. In the past, they are embarrassed at the fact that their ancestors have made a huge blunder during the World War II. KD said to me, she’d like to apologise for what we’ve done in the past. And obviously I was SHOCKED! Sorry, that’s the past…we can only make the future better. And it’s up to us to make it happen!

Now, looking to my own country, yes we love to show our patriotism with flags here and there. But, what does it actually mean when it comes to racial unity? When I first arrived at work 10 days ago in Munich, SK decided to play this DVD he got from the Malaysian Tourism Board on Malaysia using the Meeting Room AV system. I have to admit, it was one hell of a promotional DVD. IT WAS VERY GOOD! In fact I almost shed a tear after watching it… coz I was so overwhelmed, I can feel blood rushing through my body and the feeling of being proud… HEY, I AM PROUD TO BE A MALAYSIAN!

Now we bitch, we bicker and we squabble among each other…in our daily lives. I don’t understand why we need to do that. SK and I had a chat last night… about the fact that we continue to be busy protecting our own areas that we forget to take a step back and observe what the rest are thinking. I for one will try to change things for myself. I’ve had enough of being a victim for the last 14 months. It’s time for a change…it’s time to encourage togetherness. And it does take two to tango or maybe more...

So my dear fellow Malaysians, can we please do something about this? Call me sentimental, but I believe that my so called "enemies" have different and softer inner sides to them. I can’t wait to see it! Let’s make this Independence Day an excuse to start coming together and understanding each other better. If the Germans think that we are so fortunate to be able to live and work together… let’s prove them right and not just portray the look, but do not live by it. Let’s put our differences aside and make things better, shall we?

I’m leaving Germany in an hour’s time…and the experiences I’ve had being here will always be close to my heart. I left Malaysia 10 days ago being naive and impatient and now I’m coming back to Malaysia a different person, a better person I hope! See you soon!