Malaysia at 50, my story and yours

The story of Malaysia began more than 50 years ago when four territories washed by the South China Sea decided to unite as a federation, bound more by the ideals of its leaders, a single colonial master and the English language rather than anything else.

The four territories then were Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, after Brunei decided to opt out of the federation. Singapore was out later, on August 9, 1965, when the Malaysian Parliament voted 126-0 to expel the island state.

Malaysia is now two weeks away from celebrating the 50th year of its founding after weathering the trials and tribulations, the joys and vicissitudes of time and history under the one government that it has known since Malaya got its independence in 1957.

In the course of the 50 years, there were race riots, the economy rose and fell, the communists laid down their arms in the Malay Peninsula and later in Sarawak, and there have been claims and incursions in Sabah.

And we became one nation.

Or to put it in the words of activist Nasiri Sabiah speaking at a forum on the Malaysian identity organised by The Malaysian Insider last week, "I may be in Sabah but my blood is Malaysian".

But are we one nation?

Tabitha Ujang from Sarawak told The Malaysian Insider forum, "I come here with discontent in my heart. Why do I have to fill the box Others because the only other boxes in the forms say Malay, Chinese and Indian?"

Why indeed?

To address such issues and more, The Malaysian Insider engaged Malaysia's best writers, essayists and opinion makers across the country to report and write about Malaysia at 50 years.

They have travelled from the eastern tip of Sabah down to Port Dickson along the Straits of Malacca to listen and see, to know and explain, the Malaysia that we have today.

Over the next two weeks till September 16, when Malaysia celebrates its 50th anniversary of its founding, you will read essays, reports and interviews, see pictures and know more about Malaysia as revealed by Malaysians.

For one, former Malaysian journalist and now academic Ooi Kee Beng will expand on why he believes that this Malaysia Day requires contemplation and "a lot of action required from political and business leaders to limit the opportunistic exaggeration of natural differences among Malaysians".

Veteran journalist Rehman Rashid, author of "The Malaysian Journey", says in his opinion piece to be published in our package, "Malaysia has always been and will always have to be a mansion of many rooms. We'll be needing many more in the next 50 years.”

You too might have an opinion about Malaysia that you would like to share at this milestone on the road of time – our 50th. Or stories to tell of your forefathers and your family who have built Malaysia and have a different perspective than the official narrative.

Perhaps you share the optimism of Tunku Abdul Rahman that fine September day in 1963 when he said as he declared Malaysia a nation, "We know that we have come together through our own free will and desire in the true spirit of brotherhood and love of freedom."

On September 16, Tunku’s story, my story, your story is one story. The story of Malaysia. You, dear reader, can be among the many authors to tell this tale for posterity. Do share. Write in, send me your pictures, tell us more atmy50@themalaysianinsider.net