THE GATES OF MERDEKA

For all these glory, peace, growth and directions towards a developed country by 2020 we must never forget their sacrifices. They gave their hearts and souls for what we have now. The country's security still rest in their hands. We begin this 53rd year of Merdeka by extending our Al Fatihah to our Muslim brothers and sisters who have gone before us and more so to those whom the nation recognized their lasting contributions where their names are etched at Tugu Negara.

41. " March forth, whether you are light ( being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy ( being ill, old and poor), and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allah.This is better for you, if you but know "

Surah 9 Al Taubah

WE may remember 31 August 1957 in our own individual ways. Now that we have reached the 53rd year of its celebration, surely if we were there when it first begun we would have seen multitude of happenings. Certainly we have seen the country's Prime Minister taken office one after the other. Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi each one of them have left their footprints and curved their individual contributions to the country in their own ways. Right now Dato Mohd Najib is on the pathways to make his contributions to the country. His is shrouded with new challenges.

For one, 31st August is a public holiday through out the country, a must declared off day for all by regulation. Parades with celebrations befitting the national day have been repeated year after year. The national celebration for 2010 is an exception being performed indoor for the first time. We have yet to see it tomorrow morning

I would like to record earlier scenes that met me with regards to such celebration. Of course going back through the years would be a worthy effort , more so it would trace the gantlet of celebrations.

Gates are familiar with us. Even our individual homes would likely have a gate for security at least if not for its decorative features. Similarly gates of various sizes, features and materials continue to be part of our national feature. Let me begin with decorative gates or 'pintu gerbang' which allures Malaysian to welcome the early beginnings of Merdeka .

This is a gate at Kirkby Teacher Training College Liverpool built as part of the Merdeka Celebration in 1957. Though photos were in 'black and white then, this taken as a color slide recorded it in color.

This is one of the gate or arches built in Alor Star to celebrate the first Merdeka Day. It was erected on the main road between Titi Gajah and Anak Bukit. Anak Bukit has now become the Royal Town as the royal palace is situated here. Notice the calmness and serenity of the small township then.

Of course, while gates or 'pintu gerbang' appear in the main towns throughout the country, we were often held up at such gates as in the picture during the 'Emergency Years' much as Merdeka was declared earlier. Austin car was the hit for those who could afford

This was built in 1961 when the Yang DiPertuan Agong visited Brunei. It must be told that Tunku Abdul Rahman visited Brunei earlier when Malaysia was at the proposal stage. Being from Kedah where the long boat festival was a yearly affair, Tunku brought one long boat from Kedah with its rowers to participate in a friendly boat race on the Brunei River. The two men walking by the 'pintu gerbang' were part of the team. I was there and so this historic photo.

As with many celebrating features all the gates in the pictures have been pulled down as fast as they were built.


SELAMAT MENYAMBUT HARI ULANG TAHUN KEMERDEKAAN MALAYSIA