Be an informed patriot!

“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” This was the famous and inspiring quote by American author and essayist, Edward Paul Abbey, on patriotism.

This is one of my favourite patriotism quotes as it is so appropriate and inspiring. Unfortunately this was not instilled among us, our young generation especially, by our government since independence, for reasons best known to them.

This somehow reminded me of what Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said during his speech in a function at Atlantis Restaurant recently, on the advice once given to him by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed when he was still the PM, that he (Dr Jeffrey) should not teach the people what they don’t know.

August 31 is a significant day for our country as it is the day she achieved independence 52 years ago.

And as usual, weeks before that, the government started a series of campaigns to whip up the people’s patriotism spirit especially to remind them to hoist the national flag or the Jalur Gemilang at their homes, kindergartens, schools, colleges, schools, universities, shops, hotels, mamak stalls, mini buses, cars, motorcycles, bicycles etc.

In the meantime, government leaders and politicians talked about the importance of patriotism, often with strong emphasis on loyalty to the ruling government.

Throughout the years, I’ve come to realize that while many people including my friends and relatives may talk about patriotism during this period of time, they may not really understand its true meaning, especially since they have been indoctrinated by the government-controlled media over the years besides such idiotic program like “Aku Janji” for the civil servants to pledge their undivided loyalty to the government of the day.

Hence, what really concerns me here is the misconception of patriotism. Let’s examine what patriotism means. The base of the word “patriotism” comes from the Latin word patria, meaning fatherland or homeland and the suffix “-ism” is Greek meaning belief in, practice of, or condition of. The literal definition is then belief in one’s country.

Patriotism goes beyond that definition. It must be displayed in both war and in peace, and more importantly when the country is being ruled by a corrupt and tyrannical regime.

It is shameful how all these years Malaysians been indoctrinated by the Barisan Nasional government and its leaders, that patriotism means unquestioning support for the government, which thus allows them to unjustly subdue right thinking-and-patriotic Malaysians from continuing to fight for justice, democracy and the rights of the people..

Therefore, an “informed patriotism” is what our beloved country really needs. It is neither the blind faith in the government nor blind opposition to the government. This patriotism is the informed love and appreciation for the government that truly upheld justice, democracy and transparency – the fundamental element of good governance, and not government that is shamelessly indulging in corrupt and undemocratic practices to benefit a privileged few.

A government is and should be founded on the principle of mandate of the people - that is the essence of democracy. Hence, it is vital that we constantly question the actions of the government. If not, then there is no limit to its power. When we remain silent and cease to take an active role in the conducts and operations of our nation’s leaders, we validate the ascendancy of an “invincible government” that has no qualms practicing absolute power. The cornerstone of our way of life will be fundamentally destroyed to the core.

I take this great opportunity to share with you the following inspiring patriotism quotes by some of the great Statesmen and civil activists in the world, with the hope that you too would be inspired to become an ‘informed patriot’. I wish you all a “Happy 52nd Merdeka Day”!

* To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.- Theodore Roosevelt

* The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain - George McGovern

* The government is merely a servant -- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. - Mark Twain
* Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. – Mark Twain

* My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its office-holders. - Mark Twain

* To oppose corruption in government is the highest obligation of patriotism. – G. Edward Griffin

* My Country! When right keep it right; when wrong, set it right! - Carl Schurz

* The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair. - H. L. Mencken

* This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in. - Theodore Roosevelt

* Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. - James Bryce