Were we colonised? Were we not colonised? Why do we have a Merdeka Day if we were never colonised?
We've often heard that the Malay States gained independence from the British on the 31st day of August 1957. Yet, why are some saying that the Malay States were never colonised? How can we gain independence if we were never colonised in the first place?
Hello and welcome to Gen Z meets World podcast! Since the National Day of Malaysia is coming in a few days, we thought we would talk about the National Day, Merdeka and the meaning behind celebrating such occasions.
We kicked off the conversation with some nostalgic throwbacks from our younger days and how we would crowd in front of the TV to watch the national parade at the Merdeka Square. Then, we dived deep down into the question of whether or not we were colonised while exploring the historical events and facts surrounding the matter. Afterwards, we reflected on the meaning behind the celebration and how we can make the event more meaningful for us and the nation. We also shared our feelings on the National Day as well as a tale of how we "time-travelled" (sort-of) to the past and watched our grandfather worry about the communist insurgency.
What do you think about the National Day? How do you celebrate it? Do you think there is any importance in commemorating the day? Comment below!
Links for nerds (We are too! There's nothing wrong with being one!):
Video, "Pihak British tak pernah menjajah..." -Khoo Kay Kim:
(Language: Malay) youtube.com/watch?v=LSPmNRByOCQ
Map shown when we talked about Malacca:
(Language: Site in English, Map in Latin) raremaps.com/gallery/detail/44259/indiae-orientalis-nec-non-insularum-adiacentium-nova-descrip-visscher-i
Proclamation of Independence:
(Language: Malay and English) arkib.gov.my/en/web/guest/pemasyhuran-kemerdekaan-19572
Aeshah's write-up on Tan Sri Omar Mohd. Hashim and his autobiography:
(Language: English) aeshahadlina.wordpress.com/a-treasure-trove-of-knowledge
Ahmad's short video on Merdeka and how we were never colonised:
(Language: Malay) youtube.com/watch?v=tAmO4uB1jAI
About us:
We (Aeshah and Ahmad) are a pair of siblings who love to discuss about all the many observations and theories we have made as we discover the world. From social relations and current affairs to everyday topics and life lessons, we love to sit down and wonder about the many wonders of this wondrous life. However, we would love to open up our conversation to all of the many like young minds out there.
So come and bring a mug of coffee or tea (or anything really) and join our discourse in the Gen Z meets World podcast! Together, let's create a safe space for us to have engaging discussions on anything and everything young minds and life!
Find us!:
See you again in the next episode :)
