Much Ado About Nothing?

The National Heritage List

On the 6th July 2007 The Minister Of Culture, Arts & Heritage Malaysia announced The National Heritage List consisting of BUILDINGS, OBJECTS & INTANGIBLE HERITAGE. According to the minister Dato’Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim the list of the first 50 items chosen based on each significant in line with the nation’s 50th year of independence on the 31st August this year.

The Parliament Building, The National Flag and National Anthems head the list. respectively. Others include Sejarah Melayu & Sejarah Hang Tuah manuscripts, Bangsawan, Dondang Sayang, Wayang Kulit, Joget Melayu, Carcosa Seri Negara, National Mosque, Mulu National Park and the Open House Concept which is unique to Malaysia. 50 items in all. According to NST report “any item on the list will be protected by law and efforts will be made to preserve it.” Meaning, buildings and other tangible item cannot be demolished. Neither can they be altered, changed or developed without the consent of the minister. Intangibles such as Sewang or Bangsawan, will continue to enjoy favored status.

Hoi …do I hear someone complaining the oversight on the significant of The Stadium Merdeka.

If - as announced - that items chosen ‘based on each significant in line with the Nation’s 50th Anniversary’ what significant has Batu Caves, Mulu National Park, Ngajat, Sumazau to do with Merdeka. Why omit Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang, or Dataran Pahlawan, Bandar Hilir Melaka (and other historical buildings and places).

We all remember that on February 20,1956 Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and his entourage were welcome by about 50,000 people from all over Persekutuan Tanah Melayu at Dataran Pahlawan, Bandar Hilir Melaka, on their return from England after successfully negotiating for independence from the British. According to the historical record Tunku and his Merdeka entourage touch down at Batu Berendam Airport, Melaka from Singapore. Escorted motorcade drove them to Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka where thousands of rakyat waited impationly.

We remember that it was at the Stadium Merdeka, our Bapa Kemerdekaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj read the proclamation on the morning of the 31st August 1957.

Every Malaysian of all ethnic remember these dates. Those events etched on everyone’s mind. For the past 49 years come August historical proclamation pictorial events among others are being repeatedly aired and printed by the local media in their original forms.

I say...I say...I say... Your best is still not good enough.

This year Merdeka Day Celebration is The Golden Anniversary. ‘Believe you me’ this year’s Golden Merdeka Celebration ia a long awaited occasion by all Malaysian. For the last 49 years, come 31 August, Malaysian from all walks of life had diligently renewed their pledged of allegiance towards their mother land. They fly the national flag at home, as well as at most public buildings. Their streets are adorned with buntings amidst multicolored lights. It’s their shared yearly occasion to rejoice. They turn out in full force to celebrate the event. The local National Media are also in arm to herald the day. The gatherings also held in most villages, town and cities resonate the uniquely harmonious multi-ethnic, multi cultural and multi religious nation that we are proud to be in and like to continuously advocate.

Hoii…. “Do I hear that they are going to re-enact the Proclamation Scene as it happened 50 years ago at the Stadium Merdeka? Will someone out there take note and say yes. Please do it for posterity sake.

No ‘tidak apa’ attitude or ‘kerja ibarat melepaskan batuk ditangga sahaja’ for this golden opportunity, please!! Do something that the ‘rakyat’ can relate themselves to, on Merdeka historical struggles and achievements .., otherwise. …..its Much Ado About Nothing.

The next big celebration would be the centennial, which is 50 years away. But by then most of us won’t be around anymore.