PRESENT POINT POWER

The hoisting of the Giant Flag (above) and the Clock tower in Dataran Merdeka

The Nation celebrating its 49^th Independence Day is still a relatively young Nation in a constant state of being and is “imperfect”. You must not expect her to be “perfect” – a state of fulfillment beyond which there is no further growth, and no such state exists. The Nation grows and develops and is evolving and changing and once you understand the nature of the Nation’s own multiracial reality, we can change it in whatever way we choose.

But there is an added twist here: that in the process of becoming, we must also learn when to let go; for change, growth and evolution—the elements of the process of becoming—are impossible without this. We must learn to let go off ALL our prejudices amongst the various races, the distrust, the untruths – the mere expressed beliefs that are holding us back. To move forward look into the present and know what you I have to do in this moment. Which you and which Nation you want are to be answered in the “NOW” (your power of action is in the PRESENT) and not in your PAST

There is nothing more stimulating, more worthy of actualization, than the desire to change the Nation for the better. That is indeed each person's mission.

To change the current Malaysia situation when dealing with seemingly insurmountable problems of racial, political, financial and social structure, we need “shared” or “mass” dreams. In these, we dream individually and collectively of ways in which change could occur. This is how the “silent majority” can contribute.

These dreams can actually help bring about the resulting change. The very energy, direction and focus of these dreams will help change the situation.

Otherwise all our problems recurred and will remain unsolved and our Vision 2020 will only be a piped dream

PM Datuk Seri Abdullah address to the nation: "The solidarity of Malaysians is our strength, we need to ensure that we maintain that strength till today. A good consensus, a strong and effective cooperation, these are important,"

Retain Spirit Of Consensus, Abdullah Tells Malaysians; August 30, 2006 21:37 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on the multiracial Malaysians to retain the spirit of consensus and cooperation which have become the pillar of national strength since independence.

He said the country's development enjoyed today was the result of unity that had long been forged among the people of various races and religions.

"The solidarity of Malaysians is our strength, we need to ensure that we maintain that strength till today. A good consensus, a strong and effective cooperation, these are important," he said in a special message aired by radio and television in conjunction with the nation's 49th Merdeka Day celebration Wednesday night.

The prime minister said that in instilling and safeguarding unity, each Malaysian must have patience, be considerate, give priority to collaboration and respect each other.

Referring to the May 13, 1969 incident, Abdullah reminded Malaysians to learn from the dark moments in the country's history and avoid doing something that could disrupt unity and racial collaboration.

Things that caused consensus to crumble would erode the country's strength and make it weak, he said.

"What causes hardship to us, we must avoid, that's the meaning of learning from history, besides, we also need to chart our history, chart the history of building a civilisation in the future," he said.

Abdullah added that the present generation, who enjoyed the fruits of the struggle of past generations, had the obligation to make Malaysia a more developed and successful country to be inherited by the next generation.

"Or at least ensure that the country has a government with well organised plans... so that our country can progress further," he said.

The prime minister said serious attention must be given to the struggle towards achieving Vision 2020 when Malaysia would hopefully be declared as a developed nation.

He stressed that the people should strive wholeheartedly to face various new challenges like globalisation, liberalisation and competition from other countries who aimed to capture the market.

"In the competition, can we succeed or can't we? In the effort, will we get as much as what we want? These should be the questions for us and must have the best answers and response from us.

"So with this, it's my hope that the people and government will continue to cooperate and the two parties will put their minds and efforts to realise it," Abdullah said.

In the message, the prime minister also reminded the public sector of their crucial role in the country's development even though the private sector had been given the role to generate a more robust economic development.

"The public sector has the power to enforce laws and rules and the capacity to draft the necessary policies. So, their role cannot be separated, and cannot be considered less important," he said.

Hence, he stressed that the public sector must strive to facilitate any initiatives taken by the private sector, which would bring benefits and prosperity to the country.

Touching on the independence day celebration, Abdullah said it should be celebrated with pride by all citizens and with gratitude and happiness for the peace and progress enjoyed.

After 49 years of independence, the prime minister said Malaysia had developed robustly and achieved successes in various fields including in economy, infrastructure and education.

"Surely we are grateful because in the 49 years, we can say that our country is peaceful and safe for Malaysians even though we still remember the incident that happened in 1969," he said.

PM Joins People In Celebrating Merdeka Eve In Kuching; August 31, 2006 01:25 AM

KUCHING, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Cries of "Merdeka" (Freedom) filled the air at the Kuching Waterfront Wednesday night as Malaysians joined the country's leaders in celebrating the eve of Malaysia's 49th Independence Day.

At the Kuching Waterfront Wednesday night Abdullah shouted "Merdeka" seven more times to welcome Malaysia's 49th birthday accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Federal and State Cabinet ministers, and foreign dignitaries.

Thousands of Malaysians from the various communities filled the area to join the countdown for the historical occasion.

The first shout of "Merdeka" was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi moments after midnight, marking the date of Aug 31 -- Malaysia's Independence Day.

Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Federal and State Cabinet ministers, and foreign dignitaries, Abdullah shouted "Merdeka" seven more times to welcome Malaysia's 49th birthday.

Immediately after that, the national anthem NegaraKu was played followed by the patriotic songs of Jalur Gemilang, KeranaMu Malaysia and "31 Ogos" (Aug 31 in Bahasa Malaysia).

Earlier, Abdullah received the Malaysian flag (the Jalur Gemilang) from the Jalur Gemilang Independence Day Expedition Contingent chief Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who arrived at the venue to join the celebrations from Serian.

The contingent, comprising 84 superbikes and 49 four-wheel-drive vehicles, had travelled throughout the country since Aug 17.

The Prime Minister later presented the Jalur Gemilang to the Royal Malaysian Air Force to fly the flag.

The eve celebration reached its summit with a 10-minute fireworks show, which lit up the city's skyline.

Thousands of Kuching residents had come to the celebration venue as early as 7.00 pm to witness the variety of shows by local artistes held in conjunction with celebrations.

The leaders arrived a bit later from 10.00 pm. First to arrive was Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who is also the 49th Merdeka Day Celebrations Committee chairman, followed by Taib, Najib and Abdullah.

While waiting for the midnight countdown, the crowd was entertained with poems, cultural shows and songs by local artistes including Ning Baizura, M. Nasir, Hazami, Bob, Datuk Ahmad Jais and Datuk Yusni Hamid.

Meanwhile, a 45-member delegation from 29 countries of Organisation of Islamic Conference arrived at the Kuching International Airport earlier to join the Thursday's celebrations.

They were received at the airport at 8.30 pm by Sarawak Urban and Tourism Development Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.

In KUALA LUMPUR, more than 50,000 people gathered at the Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) for the count-down celebration.

The entertainment stage at KL Dataan Merdeka

While waiting for midnight, various programmes were held to usher in the country's Merdeka Day not only at the square but also at several other venues like the Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park and Jalan Bukit Bintang to mark the occasion.

Celebration is not complete in Malaysia without the largest flags (six 6m x 60m) drapped down the Tabung Haji Building along Jalan Tun Razak, KL

Those gathered were feasted with entertainment shows, cultural dances and performances by popular artistes.

The countdown to Merdeka Day held at the KLCC Park was organised by Petronas, Astro, Exxon Mobil, Persatuan Karyawan and KLCC.

And the you know who singer entertaining the crowd at Dataran Merdeka

More than 60,000 people thronged the venue to welcome the arrival of the 49th Merdeka Day and watch performances by three Akademi Fantasia winners Zahid, Mawi and Faizal. Other popular artistes who performed were Jamal Abdillah, Erra Fazira, Ruffedge, Pop Shuvit, Daniel and Datuk Julie Sudiro.
The Bandar Sunway celebrations ended with a Fireworks display

All the major venues which hosted shows to mark the countdown also held fireworks displays, which lit up the night in the city at the stroke of midnight.

In SEREMBAN, the celebrations started with a show by singers Ziana Zain, Kopratasa, Safura, Ito and Zila from 8:30 pm. Other entertainment programmes were also lined up for the celebrations.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan later hoisted the national flag, accompanied by the NegaraKu anthem at 12.00 midnight.

In JOHOR, Sungai Muar became the happening spot for the eve of Independence Day celebrations with a parade of 15 decorative boats.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman was among those who were on the boats to celebrate the National Day.

The state government spent some RM500,000 to decorate Muar for the 49th Independence Day celebrations.

In IPOH, the celebration took place at the Ipoh Field, where some 8,000 people crowded the area to share their patriotic spirit despite the drizzling rain.

Among those weathering the wet spell were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, Mayor Datuk Mohamad Rafiai Moktar, and State Executive Councillors.

The celebrations started from 9.00pm with concerts, patriotic songs, and cultural shows.

In PENANG, wet spells since morning failed to dampen the spirit of people in the state join the celebrations.

They were at the Dataran Pemuda Merdeka in Butterworth as early as 7.30 pm to watch the various shows arranged before the midnight countdown.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon arrived at the Dataran at 10:20 pm to join thousands of people from the state to celebrate the event.

In KOTA KINABALU, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman with state ministers and leaders joined some 12,000 people at gathering at the Merdeka Field for the Aug 31 countdown.

The crowd were there since 6.00 pm, enjoying shows by local artistes including Jefridin, Nurul, Ajai, Lotter, Marsha, Yazir, Adam and Nikki.

In KUANTAN, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob led some 10,000 people from the state in shouting "Merdeka" seven times moments after the clock passed midnight at the Kuantan Municipal Council field.

Adnan in his speech earlier told the crowd that the Independence, achieved through understanding and tolerance among all the races in the country, must be maintained so that further development could be achieved.

In ALOR STAR, thousands of people joined Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid at Darulaman Stadium to celebrate.

At midnight, Mahdzir, state Executive Councillors and the crowd cried "Merdeka" seven times. The ceremony was then followed by the national anthem and fireworks display.

Similar scenarios repeated all over the country, in towns big and small as well as in the outskirts.