What is Merdeka?

Merdeka means free from bonds that impede us to determine the fate of the nation and advance our own nation.

Not independent if we are still slaves to foreign countries. The independent state is a sovereign state. The relationship between sovereign states is the same degree of diplomatic relations.
🌏 via-malaysia.com

At the same time, it is not independent if we are still slaves to our own ego. Independent states are a dynamic and viable nation, not bound by prejudice and narrow nationalism.

Independent requires self-esteem. People who are less inferior to identity are not independent nations.
The permanent Representative of the Federation of Malaya to the first United Nations (UN), Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman pointed out the true meaning of Merdeka.
🌏 via-malaysia.com

Tun is not ashamed to wear a traditional Malay dress with a dagger in a UN conference. The purpose of Tun is to highlight the firmness of the new identity of the nation. Tun is not inferior to his own legacy and identity.

But at the same time, Tun's dedication to the international community proves that this new nation is a world class nation. Tun's speech at the UN General Assembly describes the greatness of this new nation-state soul:

"Although our material wealth and our standard of living compare very favourably with those of many nations in the world today, as a small nation, our basic strength lies in these material things, but in the moral character and purpose of our people."

🌏 via-malaysia.com

That is the real Merdeka. Be a self-assurance nation. Progress with its own mold.

My Country is Awesome.
مرديك
مرديك
مرديك

(message Threshold #SehatiSejiwa from me who still awaits the soul) 🌏 via-malaysia.com

Credit: suction page of "Malaya's First Year at the United Nations: As Reflected in Dr Ismail's Report Home to Tunku Abdul Rahman" by Tawfik Ismail and Ooi Kee Beng (2009, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies).