Dare to Dream : One People One Nation
July 27, 2007
I think it was Farida who first mooted the idea of our own Bangsa Malaysia Hari Merdeka get-together.
Jayanath Appudurai then urged that such an event should break the shackles of ‘tribal think’.
In a subsequent comment, Jayanath also suggested the Tunku Memorial, Jalan Onn or the Tugu Negara, Lake Gardens as the possible venue for such a get-together.
Today, Ben presented to us his thoughts on how such an event should play out.
In a post entitled ‘Together we can’, I lamented :
‘And still the people of this nation choose to stand by and watch. As this country is ravaged by parasitic politicians who thrive and sustain themselves off a people who have grown accustomed to care only for their own’.
I then urged that ‘if all like-minded Malaysians, who want to save this country, will come together, I believe there is much we can achieve. Please, let us not make the same mistakes of the past by remaining silent’.
Farida, Jayanath and Ben have put into motion a glorious opportunity for us, Bangsa Malaysia, to come together.
In one heart and one spirit to celebrate Merdeka, to break the shackles of ‘tribal think’ and to re-ignite and relive the spirit of 1957.
Again, I ask that we not make the mistakes of the past by remaining silent.
Farida, Jayanath and Ben, I would like to call on you to lead in the organising of this Bangsa Malaysia get-together.
If you are up to the task, I would be obliged if you would send me an e-mail at thepeoplesparliament@gmail.com so that I can then proceed to include you in the organising e-group.
If anyone else would like to be involved in the organisation of this get-together, please send an e-mail to thepeoplesparliament@gmail.com
July 27, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Haris,
I’ll make it a point to come. But before you go any further, I read something in today’s Star that kind of registered in the context of this non-tribal merdeka bash that somehow I felt was brewing here. Today’s Star (27.7.07) Page N20, The Culture, Arts, and Heritage Ministry “will not allow any celebration which will come into conflict with the special Merdeka Eve Programme at Dataran Merdeka before midnight on Aug 30″.
Now, what ever that is supposed to mean, when I read it, I got this feeling then and do feel it now that the powers that be might just be trying to pre-empt such a celebration that is being planned here.
Saw the newsreport.
Rais cannot ban. You will note from the rest of the report that it was an ‘urging’.
In any event, what we have in mind is a ‘private gathering’ of like-minded Bangsa Malaysia. No question of police permit or prior approval.
No worries, people.
Thanks, Paul. Looking forward to putting a face to the name.
July 28, 2007 at 12:28 am
I will be honoured to be part of Bangsa Malaysia get-together. I strongly believe that together we can make a difference in creating a truly united nation where all of us have a place under the Malaysian sun. Bravo to Jayanath, Ben, Farida and Haris Ibrahim.
Ranjit Singh Malhi
July 28, 2007 at 10:54 am
I shall dare to dream “loud” with my presence
July 28, 2007 at 4:52 pm
May I suggest a slogan – “Time for Change, Together we can”
July 28, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I will be there, Haris. You cant miss such a noble cause, can you?
July 29, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Go for it.
Some among the powers-that-be are really trying to put the clock back. They succeeded, but only for a time.
Now, Malaysians are a lot more assertive than submissive.
Go for it. Count me in.
July 30, 2007 at 10:14 am
While I will not be able to make it from Melbourne, I hope that your alternative Merdeka party comes off for the sake of all Malaysians.
This is one event which will genuinely demonstrate that “Malaysia Boleh” can, in the hands of the people, be a slogan with substance.
Ragu Appudurai
July 30, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Count me in too! But do let me know in advance as I need to travel from Penang.
July 30, 2007 at 12:48 pm
[...] <”Haris Ibrahim’s Dare to Dream”> [...]
July 30, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Yes let there be an alternative observance of the 50th anniversary of independence! I vote for Tunku’s memorial as the venue. More history, more personal than a stadium. Tunku got many things right on Bangsa Malaysia. Deviations from his philosophy have landed this nation into all this trouble. Our alternative event will also be a fitting and dignified tribute to the Tunku.lease let us not have partisan political speeches on this occasion. Our unity must be based on common values of decency, respect, justice and freedom. No one who comes should come as VIP. All are equal. All should be humble.
July 30, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Hello ou,
On my part, I don’t particularly like slogan right now, because it is so cliche, dry and sometimes downright misleading. At times, I feel that making slogan also implying we know what the others want or that the other persons would agree with us or maybe imposing our views on others.
What I would prefer is that to gather to know you in person, to know you as a friend and from there on to find out each other aspiration and from thereon as we journey on, discovering each other how we can make a difference. I find it makes a lot of difference between knowing something through reading, say from the internet and that of actually being there.
Nevertheless, we do need to change. Change our mentality, how we perceived the others, remove our prejudices, both personal as well as communal, accepting others in their strengths and weaknesses, being able to trust each others despite of the entrenched biases, and so on.
This is just my personal feelings about catch phrase, slogans, buzzword and so on. It is just that I felt so imprison by such things.
Regards
July 30, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Count me in. Would rather be there in solidarity with Malaysians who truly care. With people who value the independence that our forefathers fought for, people who want to see a better tomorrow for our beloved land.
p/s: I second Tunku’s memorial
July 30, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Sorry, for I will not be able to attend any gathering on 31st itself, only be back the following…
But a suggestion here…why not a “picnic” then, say somewhere in lake garden or even in the vicinity of Bukit Jalil. Well, that would be informal enough, right?
Maybe we can just enjoy the day, in a relax atmosphere, enjoying the moment while we share our aspirations and getting to know our pasts.
Just a thought…you guys decide.
July 31, 2007 at 8:41 pm
All Blog House at 66 Lorong Setiabistari, Damansara Heights, would be a good place to hold this function.
August 1, 2007 at 3:47 pm
I have been waiting all my life for this genuinely noble idea to come forth. Count me in. Together, we certainly can. LETS DO IT!!
August 2, 2007 at 5:04 pm
[...] <”Haris Ibrahim’s”Dare to Dream:One People One Nation”> [...]
August 2, 2007 at 10:43 pm
I commend the constructive and progressive thinking of those who are still optimistic about forging a one nation one people etc… the country needs these apirations
My intial reaction to all the fuss and especially from our politiacl leaders about giving our 50 years of independence a resounding vote by way of celeberations this August was one of disconcerting anger for all the wasted years…. in failing to forge a truly malaysian community with a commonality of interest….eg for fundamental human rights, reasonable opportunities for human development…
How can one, truly coversant with the inequities in our maultiracial society, have a good conscience to acknowledge a commonality of interests to celeberate …
Surprisingly to many of my friends, acquaintances and strangers whom I spoke on a casual basis about the significance of our 50 year maturity and independence ….the common reation was that there is “disobedience of ones conscience” to this …
This is rather sad for malaysians as all other forms of disobedience is rooted in this “disobedience of conscience”. One is afraid that hereafter expression of dissent will be articulated on sectional fronts with such emphasi as “association for the advancemenmt of malays in malaysia” “association for the advancement of chinese in malaysia”, association for the advancement of indians in malaysia” etc… leading to increase factionalism. Serious belligenrency and its ugly consequences for all can still be averted if we are mindful about the ugly lessons of world history or for that matter contemporaray empirical reality…. for a default of a missed opportunity….
August 7, 2007 at 8:52 pm
HEY when its the celebration..where..etc?