Firepower @Hari Merdeka Celebration

Independence Day is one day in a year where the bois in the government like to show off their hardware,  i.e., the military firepower and hardware. The bigger the tools the more macho the ruling party will feel and give a perception of what befalls those who dare infringe on the sovereignty of the country.

Yes indeed, a country needs to have military war machines and armaments to show off to their enemies of the state that the nation does pack a punch to kill invaders who try and intrude into the country.

Which brings to the question, are such firepower really to protect the citizens against invaders or the ruling party from 'enemies of the state', huh?


Was at Dataran Merdeka to celebrate Hari Merdeka. Often it is also a day where Warrior's Day is celebrated. If one stayed the whole two hours or so of the celebration, the skeptic will think it is an armed forces' day. Or, think of some ole Soviet Communist or Uncle Kim's North Korea display of military firepower and might to intimidate its enemies.

So much of the emcee's script time was devoted to military armed forces speak, with the mc who sounded like someone on a warpath extolling the might and brute strength of the armed forces including the police to defeat the 'enemies of the state'!

Of course, one can argue it's following the theme.. 'Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku' 100% adrenalin patriotic theme which seemed to refer to the Lahad Datu incursion and to defend one's nation means literally to spill blood.



So if one does not join the army or take up arms to draw first blood one isn't patriotic huh? What about the millions who literally sweat it out day in and day out for over 50 years to build the nation?

Of course we must be patriotic and stand behind our armed forces when our sovereignty is under threat from foreign elements right?

There was one segment of the parade, a long one at that, where the security apparatus, namely the police and the FRU displayed their firepower. The emcee blurted out with pride how they have been used effectively or successfully against the Bersih and Blackout rallies. 

"WTF are they trying to imply mentioning Bersih and the Blackout rallies," someone nearby retorted.Won't be surprised if this was the same reaction among the thousands @Dataran Merdeka upon hearing this blurted out?

Hmmm one wonders if all those firepower showy brute force is to protect the people from foreign intrusion or to protect the political party against the enemies of the state- meaning those who don't agree or didn't vote for the ruling party eh?

It was really tiring to hear the jingoistic tone over the PA. After over 50 years we don't seem proud to showcase our successes in building a united, harmonious nation bound by understanding, true friendship, respect and love of the dignity of everyone.

Instead, we are reminded to watch out you will get clobbered if you wanna cause trouble because we have the firepower and equipment and men trained to follow orders to fight against the enemies of the state.

Yes, there were the ceremonial flag waving, drumming up of nationalistic feeling, outward show of unity and all that. Yes, there were thousands of flags, and were distributed free which is good too.

So the citizens and the kids and youths paid to be there were sacrificing early wake up, the heat and what not, must be wondering how come they are there sweating under the heat while the VIPs were under the shade and air con all over to keep them looking comfortable and lauding over the citizens hah!

Of course, we give due protocol and respect to His and Her Majesty. But the rest of the elected politicians in cool comfort preaching to the millions to sacrifice to protect the nation huh?

It's also odd to see the Merdeka advertisements asking us folks to remember the good ole days and times that united us...Hmmm why are we told to be nostalgic about the past when we should be singing praises of improving from the past after 56 years?

While citizens are asked to tumpahkan darah to protect the nation, what have our politicians been doing the past 20 years? Are they not the ones who have created today's dilemma, frustration and growing sense of individualism, pessimism, isolation and what have you, -  where race, religion, language and party affiliation are being used to label those who are with them and those who are not.

There was a difference this year as the 'I Love PM' seemed to be replace by 'I Love Malaysia' The PR agencies and fourth four bois re-branding we can supposed eh?


It has come to a stage of telling those who don't like what's happening to get lost. With such an attitude our leaders are having and telling us off, do we citizens feel obligated to tumpah darah so they can continue to stay in power and abuse the millions of us - with the help of the firepower that were displayed on Hari Merdeka, huh?

Happy Hari Merdeka whatever it means to each of you this year.

Scenes @Dataran Merdeka












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