Merdeka Day in KL

---

Walking to Merdeka Square to see the midnight celebrations reminded me of the Notting Hill Carnival. The streets were packed with people all heading the same direction. Excitement and celebration filled the air...people blew horns, bought coloured lights from street vendors, food stalls lined the streets, toilet queues were long(!) and the general atmosphere was fantastic.

The entire city, like many others in Malaysia, was decorated in flags and lights in the national colours. In Merdeka Square, the site where Independence was proclaimed fifty years previously, images were projected onto the adjacent skyscrapers and lights hung from trees.

The place was packed...people were squashed up against each other and they all tried to make their way into the celebrations...as midnight approached the excitement grew.

And then it all kind of died slowly...at midnight the expected 'Merdeka, merdeka, merdeka' (Independence) chants were made...however, the fireworks that I had been told were at midnight, and could have made the moment spectacular, did not happen.

Instead the Prime Minister made a speech...and he spoke, and spoke and spoke... This in itself was bad enough...speeches at such times should be kept short, saved for the morning when people feel like listening rather than celebrating. Worse still, in the area we were standing there was no loud speaker...so the people could hear that someone was speaking but not what they were staying. It was hot, people were squashed together, and as this situation when on more and more of the crowds poured away...it was a real shame.

We waited until 12.45am to see it the Prime Minister would finish speaking and let the fireworks begin..but then tired and frustrated we left with hundreds of others. At 1.15am, whilst walking home, we heard (and just about saw) the fireworks go off.

It was such a shame, in my opinion, and I was actually really irritated for the crowds...all that money and effort in preparation, all the expectation, and so poorly done - that could have been a truelly magical moment (the build up to midnight was!) but it was somewhat ruined - the excitement dampened and allowed to fade...

The next morning there were more speeches, celebrations, parades and a fly over in Merdeka Square, but I must confess we failed to make it there in time!

I am really glad to have been present at the heart of the celebrations of such an important moment for Malaysians and their country, however, I would like to point out to the Prime Minister what my Dad taught me a few years back...'There's no point in speaking if no one is listening'...and in this case...if people cannot even hear you!!

---

Comments

[Sue Jones]

great blogs
I have reallly enjoyed these blogs Lol, it sounds like a fascinating place. Enjoy the Cameron Highlands, a rather bizarre name don't you think. Love Mum