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Rousing songs and cries of “Merdeka!” echoed through Stadium Merdeka last night as Malaysia’s 50th birthday ended, but cracks in the public show of unity have surfaced.
Malaysia has been treated to extravagant displays of pomp and ceremony to mark independence from Britain, with daring motorcycle stunts and multicultural dance spectacles aiming to showcase a melting-pot nation united by patriotism.
Songs extolling unity rang out, though the anniversary comes as Malaysia has increasingly been questioning its identity amid concerns about the creeping influence of conservative Islam.
 In his independence day speech last night, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi acknowledged a divide, but promised to address Malaysians’ grievances.
“I will do all I can to erase religious extremism and unfairness among our people, and will do all I can to stop any kind of racial or religious elements that can disrupt the future of our beloved country,” he told the crowd.
“Given this promise, it is up to the Malaysians to work together to stamp out any kind of rumours that have disrupted us over us the last few months,” he said, before leading the stadium in seven shouts of “Merdeka!”, meaning independence.
Although Islam is the country’s official religion, Malaysia vaunts its multicultural status with a significant population of Christians, Hindus and Buddhists.
Umno blamed
But many blame a series of moves by Abdullah’s ruling party and the courts for stoking mistrust between majority Muslim Malays and the minority groups.
“What divides us has become more accentuated than what unites us,” the Christian Federation of Malaysia said in an independence day message.
“Signs of polarisation along ethnic and religious lines, along with all forms of chauvinism, racism and superiority are eroding our national unity.”
In May, the Federal Court – the nation’s highest court – rejected a woman’s bid to be legally recognised as a Christian, while earlier this month a man was investigated for sedition after rapping alternative lyrics to the national anthem.
Many of the 53,000 people crowded in Stadium Merdeka last night said Malaysia was not perfect, but were keen to enjoy the party anyway.
“There is no doubt some polarisation problems exist,” said Rohannes Sidhu, a 23-year-old student. “But the PM has promised better times and we must look forward with hope on our 50th birthday.”
After much crowd-pleasing theatrics – including a group of soldiers reenacting the national monument on the back of a moving motorcycle – celebrations ended with a burst a fireworks and one more rousing rendition of “My Glorious Malaysia”.
Abdullah’s pledge
The day’s events were watched by dignitaries including the prime ministers of Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
US President George W Bush sent his congratulations, hailing a democracy that “has flourished based on principles of respect for the rights of all in society, regardless of ethnicity of religious belief.”
Queen Elizabeth II also sent congratulations to Malaysia’s King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
“I have much pleasure in sending you and the people of Malaysia my very best wishes on the occasion of your 50th anniversary of independence,” she said.
Abdullah on Friday repeated his pledge to turn Malaysia into a developed nation by 2020, but analysts and opposition MPs have warned that corruption must be stamped out and more foreign investment brought in. |
Malaysian politics