Tuesday, 09 August 2011 19:24
For a Change, Youths Want a Different Merdeka Day Celebrations

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 AUGUST, 2011: For Malaysian youths, celebrating the nation's Independence day should incorporate entertainment and activities which gel with their generation, without short-changing patriotism.   Nurhanis Mohd Roslan, 24, felt the annual Merdeka Day Parade was nothing new, and that youths would prefer changes, like a concert.   "However, the concert should stick to the Merdeka theme and showcase patriotism to evoke that spirit among the younger generation, as well as teach them the meaning of independence," said the clerk who works in a private sector when interviewed by Bernama here recently. Nurhanis also proposed that the concert be held in an indoor stadium, and include skits portraying the colonial era to highlight the country's history. Self-employed Fuad Adnan, 21, echoed similar sentiments on the Merdeka Day celebrations. Today's youths, he noted, wanted to see something different in the celebrations, which were closer to their heart, than the usual parade. "Nowadays, youths prefer convoys, gigs and concerts. Parades are a thing of the past and not something they like to watch," he said when met during a shopping outing in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR). However, he did not deny the Merdeka Day Parade could bring valuables personal experiences and memory to spectators. Government servant Nurul Huda Mohd Amrin, 28, who was also shopping in Jalan TAR, said a parade was not necessarily the only way to boost patriotism during Merdeka Day celebrations. "We can mix in elements of entertainment to reel in the youths, because we know this group of individuals like entertainment. "At the same time, these activities must not lose the spirit of Merdeka and should promote a love for the country," she said. Schoolboy Muhammad Farris Shazman, 14, said Merdeka Day activities which could appeal to the youths would definitely be well-received. "My friends and I enjoy watching convoys of high-powered motorcycles and FIXIE bicycles. It is a trend among our generation," he said. Meanwhile, car salesman Ady Firhad Basir, 23, said youths should also don clothes to relate to the Merdeka and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations which happened to fall back-to-back this year. "I suggest the younger generation, especially boys, wear the old traditional Malay costumes from the time before Merdeka, such as long pants, baju Melayu, capal (sandals), kain pelekat (sarong cloth) knotted at the side and songkok. "Imagine all youths dressed like this on Aug 31... It will bring back nostalgia among the older generation and they will feel appreciated by the young ones," he added. - Bernama