The Jalur Gemilang stands proudly in the writer's house compound. Photo: Linda Lim
On Saturday, 14 members from my senior citizens' club will come together for a luncheon to celebrate Merdeka.
In the spirit of patriotism, we have hoisted the Malaysian flag in our house compounds, a symbol of our unwavering loyalty.
We are sexagenarians, septuagenarians and octogenarians who were all born in Malaysia. It was in this beautiful country that we were educated, pursued our careers, got married, and raised our families. While some of our children have migrated overseas, we have chosen to remain in Malaysia, the land we love.
As most of us are retired government employees, we are grateful for the monthly pension that supports us, a reward for our years of service. Many of us were teachers, nurses and clerks. Retirement also comes with its perks – discounts on bus and train fares, hotel stays and buffets, as well as cinema and theatre tickets. When it comes to healthcare, we are not forgotten either. There are special lanes for senior citizens to seek treatment, and we receive priority service when renewing our passports, driving licences, and paying quit rent. Truly, we are blessed to be known as warga emas.
As senior citizens, we take great joy in celebrating our cultural festivals – Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and others. We visit our friends' homes and indulge in the delicious delicacies they prepare. We respect one another's dietary customs, ensuring that the food we serve is palatable for all. The food is always delicious, but the camaraderie we share is priceless. Being Malaysians, we have learned to respect and appreciate our fellow citizens.
Many visitors to Malaysia often express their admiration for our cultural unity. They are also delighted at the wide variety of food available here – roti canai or nasi lemak for breakfast, chicken rice, nasi campur, or Indian banana leaf for lunch, and satay, rendang, or tom yam for dinner. And when midnight hunger pangs strike, they head to the mamak stalls for a plate of fried instant noodles and a glorious cup of teh tarik. Their only complaint? The extra kilos they gain during their stay! Our tropical fruits, like rambutans, papayas, pineapples, mangosteens, mangoes, and, of course, durians, are also hot favourites. We, Malaysians, take pride in offering such a rich culinary experience to our tourists.
When we travel abroad, we're often mistaken for Chinese nationals, Japanese or Koreans, but we proudly declare that we are Malaysians. We act as ambassadors, sharing the beauty of our country with others – telling them about our lovely beaches, perfect for swimming and scuba diving, our pleasant weather, and, of course, our delicious food. We tell them how far their money can go here, with affordable hotels and meals. But more than anything, we beam with pride when they compliment us on our hospitality and willingness to lend a helping hand.
We are also proud of how Malaysians care for one another. Special mention goes to the Sikh community which provides free vegetarian meals in their temples, welcoming anyone in need. Some of us volunteer at soup kitchens, cooking and serving food to the homeless and underprivileged.
Last year, when there was a flood near my house, the residents in my housing estate collected money, asked the penghulu (headman) of the affected area what was needed, and provided them with towels and bedding. It warmed our hearts to be able to help our fellow Malaysians in their time of need.
As Malaysians who achieved independence in 1957, we are proud to live in a country with political stability, free from typhoons and earthquakes.
At our luncheon on Saturday, we will also have a specially ordered cake decorated with the Malaysian flag. The seniors will feast on the food, and talk about our families, our aches and pains, the recent thrills of the Olympics in Paris, where we bagged bronze medals, and, of course, the joys of life in Malaysia.
Happy birthday, Malaysia! We are proud to be Malaysians!
