Sunday, August 30, 2009

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


38 comments:

  1. 1Malaysia: Yes we are 1 of a kind, rather 1kind of a nation.

    WE are the only country on this earth where certain sections of the citizenry are discriminated against constitutionally.

    Can there be a 1Malaysia with 2 classes of citizens?

    Can a nation ruled by corrupted leaders be considered as free? What MERDEKA are we talking about here?

    YES, the government is free - free to do anything they like to anyone they like.

    There is no separation of powers; the AG & the courts, the police, MACC etc, etc are all used as tools by the government.

    WE need to be FREE!
    WE need to FREE ourselves from this corrupt and abusive government.

    Lets count the days to the next general election when WE MUST VOTE TO BE FREE!

    Then we will have real MERDEKA!
    MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This article is a mind opening and I wonder whether Jeffery got a hand in this piece.

    Mahathir was the one who had put up a strong recomendation to Jeffery in his application to Havard.
    Yes, I think there is truth to what Jeferry said what TDM told him not to make the people knowledegable, because knowledge tends to make people greedy and rebellious and thereby very hard to control. So the phrase "ignorance is bliss" is true. But on the other hand in this modern world knowledege is needed to have better quality of life but not to the extent of abusing to oppressed others.
    As for patriotism, first the govt policy must not be discriminatory, so the people will naturally feel a sense of love for the nation irrespective of race and religion that they will be saying " Proud to be a Malaysian".
    Not a "forced patriotism like the National Service" or Kursus Tata Negara which only trained youths to be either zoombies or hooligans, and the girls becoming masseues.

    Again I say this is a well written article.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ronnie, well done on your inspiring posting on patriotism.

    Again, you have rightly pointed out the depressing issue of 'blind patriotism' among Malaysians, as the result of five decades of BN propaganda instilled through the mainstream media.

    Worse still, in the case of Sabah, patriotism has been long hijacked by state-sponsored 'dubious citizens' who possessed Malaysian identity and constantly portrayed themselves to be more patriotic than the bona fide Malaysians.

    Just go to any squatters colony in Sabah, you'll see these people proudly hoisting the Jalur Gemilang, besides the flags of UMNO/BN.


    A Bona-fide Malaysian

    ReplyDelete
  4. In addition to what i've just said earlier about the hijacking of our patriotism by the dubious citizens, i wish to pay tribute to anti-illegal immigrant/dubious citizens activist cum writer of "Lest We Forget" - Dr Chong Eng Leong, and the writer of "IC Palsu" MD Mutalib, who to me are the real patriots of this country.

    I also pray & hope that when and if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power one day, a Royal Commission of Inquiry will be established to thoroughly probe into the 'Project IC' and dubious citizens issues, and to bring the perpetrators who are the real traitors of this country to justice.

    These traitors should be charged under treason and be send to the gallow.


    Bona-fide Malaysian

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well-written article. I like quotes. Gives me something to think on. Happy Merdeka day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. my observation over the past 10 years (KL):

    1. before alleged dpm sodomy (99) era, many cars fly flags in month of august until Merdaka day, every year.

    2. post dpm sodomy & jailed dpm: less and less citizen put up flags on their cars in august.

    3. observed this year is the WORST since past 10 years. Hardly see any flag on cars on the road.

    I presume this is sign of patriotism. Citizens are protesting in silent when things are not correct in our country.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have been closely following your blog Ronnie,you have not only been successful in gaining the trust and support of the younger generation but even people like myself,after retiring from the civil service.

    You have a gift bestowed upon by God,and Sabahans must be grateful to have you in our mist.I was present among the large number of people in Penampang recently and heard you speak.Short,brief but pedas,you have certainly raise the spirits of those present.

    You have earned our respect.

    ReplyDelete
  8. (Dr Jeffrey) should NOT teach the people what they DON'T know . . . R, please confirn that this is what Dr M really advised Dr J. If so, this further confirms that Dr M had a warped sense of destiny.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I hope what is said here by all the bloggers about all the good things -are really going to happen when PKR comes to power. Not just another fall from the frying pan into the fire. From the mouth of a tiger into the mouth of a crocodile as what has been happening to Sabah all these years.

    The first and foremost PKR should do when come to power in Sabah is to take care once and for all the problem of PTI. Second is the rights of Sabahans.

    For Sabah, there is no Merdeka, what is merdeka when Sabah is actually under another colonial rule which is worst than the orang putih. At least under the British, Sabahans were not oppressed and there is no racial or religious discrimination. Now even among one race there is a sentiment of division and disunity. Just look at how many KDMs based party in Sabah, all claiming to be to be championing the rights of the KDMs. But in actually fact the leaders of the parties are just tools of the colonialists in their divide and rule policy. And worst of all these so called leaders are enriching themselves and forgot about their own people.

    Uncle John

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sdra Ronnie, saya amat tersentuh dengan tulisan sdra ini, saya amat yakin bahawa hari ini kita sebanarnya tidak lagi memahami semangat yang terkandung dalam Patroit kerana pengertian sebenarnya disembunyikan malah dipesongkan oleh pemimpin-pemimpin negara, seolah-olah seorang yang bersemnagat patroitsime itu,mestilah menyokong kerajaan UMNO/BN, tetapi sebenarnya jauh lebih dari itu dan memang tidak salah kalau kita menyokong parti yang memerintah asalkan kerajaan itu juga mempunyai semanagat yang sama diamana pemerintahannya bersih dari segala kejahatan, adil dan saksama kepada seluruh rakyat dan berpegang teguh kepada amalan demokarasi. Kalau hari ini konsep dan makna patroit itu hampir pupus dalam ingatan rakyat terutamanya generasi masa kini itu salah siapa?

    Uncle Sam

    ReplyDelete
  11. When one man is not free from fear, no man is free. Today, we Malaysians have much to fear. We are not free.

    ReplyDelete
  12. How can one be patriotic when the govt discriminates the people and use the divide and rule to govern?
    I am not proud to be a Malaysian, in fact I am ashamed to be one.

    ReplyDelete
  13. See northborneoherald.blogspot.com for basic Sabahan history many young Sabahans need to know

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's dumbfounding that many comments appear here and there that Malaysia gain Independence on the 16.9.1963,which I don't dispute.

    But my question is,why are Sabahans still singing the same tune when they could have corrected this during the last election?It's pointless to harp on this issue,when you still continue to vote for UMNO/BN.

    Sudah jadi bubur la.If we really want to correct history,then throw UMNO/BN out in the next election and vote Pakatan Rakyat.And,please don't come back and tell me that PR will be the same as UMNO,there will be no end to this.UMNO/BN has been ruling the country for the last 52 years,cukup la.

    Uncle Lim

    ReplyDelete
  15. Uncle Lim, you must be trying to do trial and error by insisting that BN must be thrown out. I say again will you guarantee that PR will not be like BN when all those leaders in PR are the same old discards from the BN component parties.
    Maybe it is good also to try new party, but studying from past Sabah political history the same vicious cycle keeps coming back.
    Anyway uncle Lim I am still waiting for you for our appointment in LA>

    ReplyDelete
  16. 52nd Merdeka is for Malaya only. It is 46th for Sabah & Sarawak. Malaysia as a nation is only 46 years old. For as long as the so called leaders cannot do simple arithmetic & continue to celebrate Malaya's independence and blatantly disregarding our independence here in Sabah, my clans & I shall not be participating in any so called merdeka celebration.

    ReplyDelete
  17. We don't need to actually celebrate. Who doesn't like annual public holiday(s)? If you work holidays, you get triple pay. If not, just stay home and sleep lar.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sadly to say, these leaders failed in Mathematics and History. What to do, what to do..*sigh*

    ReplyDelete
  19. Just forget about the arithmetic problem they are facing.It's not important,though.All that matter is Sabah and Sarawak are both achieving their independence on 16 Sept 1963. Is all in the history book.What we need to do now is cherish the moment and forget about what they will be celebrating on their Malaya Day.

    Don't burden yourself with uneccessary things.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sabah and Sarawak was recolonised on 16th September 1963 not achieved its Independence from the British!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anon(Sept 7,6.41am)

    Where did you get the info about Sabah n Sarawak were recolonised on 16th Sept 1963?

    ReplyDelete
  22. To truthponder.
    Sabah and Sarawak was colonised on 16th Sept 1963 not by the British but by another power.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey what do you mean Sabah and Sarawak was colonised on 16th Sept 1963? As i know 16sept1963 Sabah and Sarawak both join the malaya to become what we are no Malaysian. emm are you saying that Sabah and Sarawak was colonised by Malaya? Is it?

    ReplyDelete
  24. yes Sabah and Sarawak were colonised by Malaya that is why Sabahans and Sarawakians are losing their rights.
    Especially the Sabahans are they equal with the west malaysians?
    Sabahans especially have been divided and ruled. How many Kadazan Dusuns based parties are there in Sabah? Federal Govt purposely allowed the parties to be registered so as to prevent any one party having the bargaining power! like PBS the last time. So Sabah has today UPKO, PBS, and PBRS...all of which are led by Kadazan leaders...Where is USNO Baru? Not allowed to be registered..why?
    Because UMNO is in Sabah, so easy to control and dominate......
    And what happen to the 20-point agreement, all slowly but surely eroded!
    As a result semua orang makan, isi poket sendiri, beli harta di Australia, New Zealand, London.
    So anything happen to Sabah, semua terbang lari migrate...yang tinggal kasihan orang kampung terpaksa hidup sama itu Pilipin..

    ReplyDelete
  25. But hey didn't u see that Sabah sudah banyak berubah.. there's lots of development in Sabah now...and i am sure that our leader worked hard to make this happen.... we cannot simply said that our leaders are not doing their job but because of we always seek their mistakes then we ignore what have their done for Sabahans.....

    ReplyDelete
  26. Yes yes yes.....we were colonised by Malaya... but we can fix it up...we the young generation can get back what we supposed to be have.....so here is my opinion....why not u joint our government and just utarakan rasa tidak puas hati 2.......just like our state representative dari Kinabatangan 2.... he actually good in debating for Sabahans goods....

    ReplyDelete
  27. corect corect corect, all the formers Sabah CMs have properties in Australia and NZ.
    One has a Finance company and another a farm in Australia. All have no confidence in Sabah so standby incase.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Merdeka! Ini lah kuncu kuncu UMNO


    Aussie enforcers investigate Malaysian businessman


    MELBOURNE: The Age newspaper here reported that a Malaysian businessman who had brokered currency printing deals for two Australian companies in Malaysia was also a broker for Pakistan’s nuclear arms programme.

    The paper said an Australian Federal Police taskforce was now investigating payments made by one of the companies amounting to millions of dollars in commissions to foreign middlemen used to help win currency printing deals in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

    Former business associates of the Malaysian businessman told the newspaper that he had claimed to have high-level connections in Malaysia that he could use to help strike deals for foreign companies.

    The Australian companies had won currency printing contracts in Malaysia in 1998 and 2004 for the Australian-made polymer banknotes.

    Malaysia introduced commemorative RM50 polymer banknotes in 1998 when it hosted the 16th Commonwealth Games and RM5 polymer banknotes in 2004. -- Bernama

    ReplyDelete
  29. Well,let us just move on with our lives.The clock will never turn backward.All we have to do is fighting for our rights, preserve our indigenous cultures,lands and SABAH..to be sure.Yes,we are independent now but still,illegal immigrants are still the best enemies for us.The 'outsiders' who rob our beautiful 'things'..you named it.I believed one day Sabah will lost its identity,will lost its virginity to someone else.Many dubious people want to hijack Sabah and to 'own' Sabah.What's the sense in that?Pathetic~

    ReplyDelete
  30. This answers to all, what I said earlier about Sabah being colonised!!!


    What caused the erosion of State rights: SAPP

    Thursday, September 10, 2009

    Kota Kinabalu: SAPP Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun said it had been the Federal Government's greed for power and also that of some of State leaders past and present that led to eroding of the State's rights.

    "The law-abiding people of Sabah are now being overshadowed and overpowered by the illegals and non-citizens É more so our vast lands are being controlled by outsiders with plantations," he said.

    The Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) appointed by the Government and given land with the initial task to assist the people uplift their living conditions have changed their policies at their whims and fancies without government control, claimed the Sepanggar Member of Parliament.

    "Some GLCs even went to the extent of selling or exchanging prime land without considering the benefits to the State," claimed Majimbun, who thanked veteran politician Datuk Ayub Aman for his views and sense of belonging to Sabah.

    He was commenting on Ayub's statement Tuesday for the Government to impose a limit to non-Sabahans owning land in Sabah and to set aside land for the indigenous people who are still lagging behind, like the Malay reserves in Peninsular Malaysia.

    Ayub said he was saddened by the unfettered changing of hands in land ownership from the indigenous people to non-Sabahans.

    The loopholes in our land laws should be plugged, said Ayub, adding that as it is today even native titles can be leased for a period which is as good as owning such land.

    With the present scarcity of available land and at the pace of ownership change from the indigenous people to non-bumiputeras, especially to non-Sabahans, as well as the policy of alienating vast tracts to big companies, including public listed companies, the fate of the bumiputeras in land ownership is doomed, said Ayub.
    What caused the erosion of State rights: SAPP

    Published on: Thursday, September 10, 2009 Email to a friend Printer Friendly

    Kota Kinabalu: SAPP Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun said it had been the Federal Government's greed for power and also that of some of State leaders past and present that led to eroding of the State's rights.

    "The law-abiding people of Sabah are now being overshadowed and overpowered by the illegals and non-citizens É more so our vast lands are being controlled by outsiders with plantations," he said.

    The Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) appointed by the Government and given land with the initial task to assist the people uplift their living conditions have changed their policies at their whims and fancies without government control, claimed the Sepanggar Member of Parliament.

    "Some GLCs even went to the extent of selling or exchanging prime land without considering the benefits to the State," claimed Majimbun, who thanked veteran politician Datuk Ayub Aman for his views and sense of belonging to Sabah.

    He was commenting on Ayub's statement Tuesday for the Government to impose a limit to non-Sabahans owning land in Sabah and to set aside land for the indigenous people who are still lagging behind, like the Malay reserves in Peninsular Malaysia.

    Ayub said he was saddened by the unfettered changing of hands in land ownership from the indigenous people to non-Sabahans.

    The loopholes in our land laws should be plugged, said Ayub, adding that as it is today even native titles can be leased for a period which is as good as owning such land.

    With the present scarcity of available land and at the pace of ownership change from the indigenous people to non-bumiputeras, especially to non-Sabahans, as well as the policy of alienating vast tracts to big companies, including public listed companies, the fate of the bumiputeras in land ownership is doomed, said Ayub.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Saudara sekalian
    Impian kita hanya satu,iaitu melihat Sabah sebagai sebuah negeri yang maju dan tidak dilabelkan sebagai antara negeri yang termiskin di negara ini.Saya tidak ingin mempersoalkan pertikaian tentang hari kemerdekaan kerana ia hanya akan mengundang pelbagai kontroversi and konfrontasi.Kita harus berpijak di bumi nyata.Kita bukannya sesiapa untuk mengubah segala sejarah peninggalan.Jadi,adalah baik jika kita berusaha menyelamatkan Sabah daripada terus dikecam oleh "kuasa luar".

    ReplyDelete
  32. Betul tu Anon (Sept 11,2009 7:15PM)
    Daripada sibuk berbahas mengenai hari kemerdekaan lebih baik fokus kepada perkara yang lebih penting.
    Kita harus berusaha menjadikan negeri Sabah sebuah negeri yang maju, aman, dan bebas dari belengu kemiskinan :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Kalau nda puas hati masuk la politik... Kasi tahan hak orang Sabah... Jangan komplen saja... Ingat senang ka mahu jadi ketua...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sebagai orang Sabah kita pasti punya impian untuk melihat Sabah maju... Perjuangan tu sebenarnya dari diri kita sendiri - jadi berusalah ke arah yang lebih baik melalui akal fikiran dan bukannya menurut kata hati saja.
    Berhenti menyalahkan dan mulakan hidup dengan fikiran yang matang dan sempurna :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sejarah tetap sejarah, merdeka tetap merdeka...
    Tanya lah diri sendiri adakah menyalahkan pemimpin kita akan membawa keberhasilan...
    Berpijak la di bumi nyata dan berusahalah pertahankan Sabah supaya kekal aman dan merdeka dalam semua aspek :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. It's make me think and maybe I can use it 1 day :)
    December 1, 2009 8:03 AM

    ReplyDelete
  37. Manusia tidak ada yang sempurna..dalam mana2 keadaan pun mesti akan ada cacatnya.... sedia maklum dengan ini akan mendorong kita untuk lebih cekal dalam smua hal.

    ReplyDelete