Ever attended the Merdeka Parade or heard the story of the day Malaysia got her independence? My grandpa used to tell me that 31 August 1957 was the day Tunku Abdul Rahman led the chant “Merdeka!” seven times, marking the beginning of our country’s independence. All the people cheered because from that day onwards, Malaysia belonged to us, Malaysians. You know that, but do your children know? What stories have we told them, and what efforts do we make to instil patriotism?
Many of us grew up singing Negaraku and reciting the Rukun Negara every Monday at school assembly. From August to September, we'd put a small flag on the dashboard of our cars and point out to our children, “Look at that Malaysian flag hanging on that building! Can you count how many flags you see on the way to school?” Yes, to raise children who are proud to be Malaysians, patriotism must be cultivated.
Let us help our children have a greater sense of love and pride for our beloved Malaysia, and only then will she have a brighter future. “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati” (Shared Prosperity) begins in our homes.
Try these at home (Tip: Make it fun, not like a lesson):
- Talk about things you love about Malaysia
The unique smells and food, the friends of difference races, riding on the train, and the beautiful islands for cuti-cuti Malaysia. Make a list and write them down because writing helps with memory retention.
- Learn ‘Did you know?’ fun facts about Malaysia
Watch a documentary or discover on Google some fascinating facts of Malaysia with your children. For example, on iconic landmarks and geography, find out the names of Malaysia's tallest buildings, the world's biggest roundabout (it's in Malaysia!), and make a trip there if you can.
- Draw or paint the Jalur Gemilang together and make it competitive
As you do so, explore what each element and colours mean. The final art piece doesn't have to be perfect. Children associate the feeling of doing the activity to the topic we are talking about.
Things to do outdoors
- Visit a historical site like Muzium Negara
Take your children on a drive or hop on the MRT to our very own Muzium Negara. Spend an afternoon there exploring interesting things about the history of Malaysia. Remember to bring your MyKad and MyKid for special rates.
- Attend the Merdeka Parade!
Did you know that every state has its own Merdeka Parade on National Day? Take your children for an outing and let them experience the richness of our culture and tradition, be it the traditional dances and costumes, or the parade of Malaysian-made cars.
- Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan
What better way to cultivate patriotism than through the wonders of food! Take your family out to try different Malaysian cuisines or snacks (bonus points if you cross state lines). Each family member then makes their own list of “Top 10 Best Malaysian Food.”
Model Patriotism
- Be Respectful
Children constantly absorb not just the literal words parents say, but also the tone, underlying emotions, and unspoken behaviours, using them to build conclusions about themselves and the world – in this case, our country and her leaders.
- Obey the Laws
Make sure to obey the laws of the country, such as traffic and littering laws, and make known the consequences for breaking them. When we demonstrate to our children that these laws exist for our safety and the good of others, they are more likely to follow. Monkey see, monkey do!
- Foster better cross-cultural understanding
Practice empathy by trying to understand different backgrounds and lived experiences versus generalising people groups because of past events or actions. Challenge unfair remarks or prejudice when you hear them in daily life. Focus on shared values: Kindness, honesty, and hard work matter across every community.
Let’s show our children what it means to be a Malaysian. Malaysia Boleh!
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