Independence Day* - Imani Coppola

I've stopped reading newspapers since today - local ones, anyway. I'd rather read news from BBC Online - and avoid the Asia Pacific section in case they'd report about some stupid thing about Malaysia again.

I have had enough of reading about how many people who need to die before our government takes action - like how many express buses and bus drivers are black-listed and not fit to be on the road, but it has to take a terrible tragedy and loss of life before our government is forced into action. Or how many soldiers must unnecessarily give up their lives before the government realises that the ancient "Nuri" helicopters are not reliable anymore. Sure, it's better late than never, some might say. But for those who perished and for their families left behind, it is just too late, period.

I have had enuf of the judiciary making ridiculous statements like doing away with Common Law. It's bad enuf that we have had to read their opinions in their written judgments - but now, they have to make such press statements???

I have had enuf of the government trying to suppress freedom of expression. Like how they happily suspended a local newspapers allegedly for insulting those of the Christian faith. The funny thing is that some of the Christians - like yrs truly - weren't offended. And to those who were, they were more than satisfied when the papers publicly apologised. Yet, the government went on to ban them and a local political party lodged a police report against the papers. Funny too cuz this party never stood up for the rights of the Christians before - at least, not to my limited knowledge. But one thing a lot of people know is that this newspaper has always been critical of that political party. Funny isn't it? But yet, i am not tickled by it.

I have had enuf of the outroar of some self-righteous, self-appointed guardians of our morals here over the dressing of certain people.

I have had enuf of people of a certain race who after 50 years of being given hand-outs due to their inability to look after themselves, still insist shamelessly on the same free gifts even tho this goes against any notion of anti-discrimination and non-racism.

I have had enuf of politicians telling us how fortunate we are to live in this country and wat a wonderful place this is - and sweeping under the carpet all its short-comings.

I have had enuf of people saying that M'sia is the best place to live in - when they themselves have never been out of this country before. If they have done so, they would realise that for example, those of Chinese and Indian descent in the UK calls themselves Brits, and the Chinese in Australia call themselves Aussies, while those in the States are Americans. But here, we are constantly reminded that we are Chinese and Indians - and if we dun like the way things are here, we can very well pack our bags and go home. In other countries, people get to enter the local Unis based on their performance in exams. Here, we do have similar exams - we call it the STPM. Yet, many people of a certain are exempted from such exams and given the privilege to do a matriculation course instead. And here, we have things such as SLAB - "Skim Latihan Akademik Bumiputera" where lecturers of a certain race gets a scholarship to do post-graduate studies (see post script below). We talk also here of the wonderful racial harmony we have - but is it harmony when one just tolerates and bear, most of the time, out of fear? I've seen racial harmony overseas which is better - because it is based on mutual respect.

Sure, we have got good food here. We have awesome beaches and lovely jungles. But surely there has to be more than that? The Twin Towers? Or the multi-million F1 Circuit? Yet, people in the jungles are living way below the poverty line and small hospitals do not have enuf incubators for babies. What else is there to be proud of? The football team? Our badminton players? Maybe our squash players, yes. But surely not the biggest moon cake or the largest ketupat, or the longest cucur udang!!!!!

Next week, we celebrate 50 years of independence. Forgive me if i am less than ecstatic over it. I'm not ungrateful. I thank God for all the good. I've decided to stay on here for the near future as my family and frens are here. I've studied about horrible rulers in other countries and know how fortunate we are here. But just like any other anniversaries - birthdays, marriages, milestones, etc. - we should take time not only to look at how far we've been and pat ourselves on the back, but see how far more we need to go and work towards it.

Well, have a happy Independence Day. Even if you are not patriotic, you can still be happy cuz you get to sleep in late...

p/s - after some complaints about SLAB, they came out with a SLAI - for for a limited time only. I tried out for it and was told i only have local Uni options if i am interested.

*Taken from the soundtrack of the TV series, Touched By An Angel.