Sundralingam one of the key general under Veerapandiya
Kattabomman, defiantly hoisted Kattabomman’s flag at Panchalankuruchi, even as
a fully armed British army surrounded them. This act was emblematic of their
courage and spirit in the face of colonial aggression. Kattabomman was one of
the last standing local Chieftain who fought against the invading British in
Tamil Nadu, India (1799), where he was eventually defeated and hung to death.
In the 100 year war, Joan of Arch always carried a white
flag which had the image of Christ and Fleur De Lis. She kept the flag aloft in
the battle front to inspire and lift the spirits of the soldiers, making them
conscious that they are guided by the divine power. According to records the
flag did not fall and it is believed that its constant presence and reminder
was instrumental in breaking the British siege in 1429.
During the Napoleonic war at the battle of Eylau (1807),
French soldiers sacrificed their lives to prevent the Eagle (a symbol of the
French flag) from falling into the Russian hands. Napoleon famously was quoted
saying, “The Eagle is the soul of the regiment. To lose it is dishonour.”
Thus, has been the value attached to a piece of cloth called
a flag. In the last 3 weeks Malaysian’s have been waking up to much noise on
the topic, all because an individual accidentally waved the flag upside down.
The incident took a turn into becoming a political championing by some quarters
and the ugly racial card yet again became the source of the discontentment. But
after the incident more photos and videos appeared in the social media about
similar mistakes all over the country. So, is it endemic? I really do not know.
But what is a bigger concern is the apathy that occurs every year after the
National Day Celebration, where many of these handheld flags can be seen strewn
all over. Fortunately, over the last few years several civil society
organizations took it upon themselves to pick up these flags and dispose it
appropriately.
The above observation on public apathy towards the nations
flag can only mean one thing, that there are citizens of this country who do
not see the nation’s flag beyond it being an identification of our country
rather than understanding the deeper meaning of the flag and its significance
to citizenry.
In his compelling work, “Ä Flag worth Dying For: The Power
and Politics of National Symbol”, Tim Marshall reminds us that a flag, though but
a fragment of cloth, carries within its fold the weight of the history, identity
and ambition. It is less an object than a vessel, bearing the struggles,
sacrifices, and hopes of generations. To those who gather beneath it, the flag
becomes both a mirror and beacon. A mirror reflecting who they have been and a
beacon guiding of who they strive to become.
That brings us to nationalist consciousness amongst
Malaysians, because without strong foundation on historical past and the
appreciation of the country’s constitution, eliciting nationalism would be
almost impossible.
Based on the available information regarding Malaysia’s
education curriculum structure found through online sources, currently in the
Primary education, history takes up between 5% - 10%, and constitutional an
independence related topic account for between 2% - 4%. Whereas in the
secondary education the former represents 10% - 15% and the latter 4% - 7.5% (the
estimates provided are indicative rather than definitive). This can be seen as
a positive effort by the national education policy developers, but within the
existing construct perhaps they can tweak it to provide a deeper and meaningful
pedagogy so that every student would grow with national pride, reflecting on
the sacrifices made by their forefathers in not only ensuring independence from
the colonialists but also later towards nation building.
Malaysia is a nation built by the contribution of many.
These contributions must be addressed meaningfully and should not be a mere
mentioned in history books.
For example, many do not know that the Tamil Chettiar
community played a pivotal role in Malaya’s economy both before and after
independence. Traditionally renowned as financiers and money lenders, they
provided essential credit to planters and traders when formal banking was
limited, thus enabling the growth of agriculture and commerce. Historically
even before the Melaka Sultanate, the Chettiars, linked to Tamil merchant
guilds, were part of South Indian trading network across Southeast Asia,
financing maritime trade and bridging local economies with global commerce,
embedding themselves deeply in regional economic history.
But as far as Malaysian history is concerned the focus on Indians
is only mentioned as indentured labourers brought in to work in plantation. But
these workers were the backbone that built and gave rise to the Malaysian
economy, along with the Chinese labourers brought in to work in tin mines.
After 1957 the Chinese community became the driving force in
Malaysian economic growth. Building on their strong presence in trade, mining,
and commerce, they expanded into plantation, retail and later into
manufacturing. Their entrepreneurship fuelled urban development, exports, and
job creations, while investments in education nurtured skilled professionals across
industries. By combining adaptability with enterprise, the Chinese community
significantly shaped Malaysia’s modernization, making them indispensable pillar
of the nation’s post-independence economy.
How many Malaysians know of Yeop Mahidin Mohammed Shariff, the
father of the Askar Wataniah Pahang. A police officer by training, he went
underground during the Japanese occupation, established a guerrilla resistance
group, the Pahang Wataniah, to fight against the Japanese. He risked his life
sabotaging Japanese missions and collected intelligence for the Allied forces.
Lived in jungle, constantly under threat, to protect his people and his
homeland. Yeop Mahidin’s courage and selflessness symbolised patriotic
sacrifice in Malaya’s struggle for freedom.
Whilst appreciating past legacies that built the country students
should also be inculcated with being aware of their accountability within the
framework of the nation’s constitution.
A constitution is not merely a legal document but the soul
of a nation it’s a covenant that binds people across generations. To be a citizen
then is to be entrusted with its guardianship. Accountability does not merely
mean obeying the law but honouring the spirit of justice, freedom, and equality
it enshrines. One must exercise rights with humility, balance liberty with
responsibility and engage in shared work of democracy. To neglect the
constitution is to neglect the moral compass of the nation. Therefore, every
citizen bears a sacred duty to keep alive the promise of the constitution
through thought, word and deed.
Merely raising the flag during school assembly and waiving
the flag during Independence Day, without deeper understanding of its
significance, is like reciting a poem in a language that one does not know.
We must correct the root of this apathy rather than trying
to deal with the symptom.
The nation has come a long way, no turning back, instead we must
invest in mind and action ever evolving to become a living testament of wisdom
and justice. Where progress is not only measured in material wealth, but in the
depth of our compassion, the strength of our unity, and the courage to shape a
future worthy of those yet unborn.
SELAMAT HARI MERDEKA
Cheers.
ravivarmmankkanniappan@1500250820253.1491° N, 101.6534° E
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