Come 2007, Malaysia will celebrate 50 years of independence. I feel this should be the time for us to reflect on what is the real meaning of Merdeka. This year and normally in that month of August, it will be filled with parade, endless cultural performances, street shows and carnivals...and these are all to commemorate the country's Independence.
For us, the younger generation, it is good to go down the memory lane and take a nostalgic 'walk' into that historic 31st August. It was on that day, when history was made as the Union Jack was lowered and the Malaysian flag hoisted, with the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj leading the people in the famous shouts of Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! (Independence!)
For more than 30 years, Merdeka Day celebrations have been marked by parades involving uniformed personnel, corporate players, school children, cultural dancers, athletes and Malaysians from all walks of life. However, in recent years, the event has grown into a much anticipated and exciting month-long celebration nationwide.
This forthcoming Golden Jubilee celebration marks a significant milestone in the history of the nation. I think as Malaysian, we should all Join the enthusiastic crowd at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on the eve of Merdeka Day for the countdown to this momentous event. Well, at least, I would bring my whole family down for a good celebration at Dataran.
Another highlight that I'm really looking forward to this year would be the Citrawarna or Colours and Flavours of Malaysia parade, an annual event showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the country. I suppose, this will be the grandest celebration for this event yet.
Malaysia invites all visitors to share in the joy and excitement of this momentous occasion. I'm definitely going to have a truly fun and quality time to spend with family.Middle last year, I, (Aishah) and my close friends, Shara and Anita, decided that we needed a break from the hectic work in KL. After some online research, the three of us decided to arrange a trip to Kota Kinabalu. We chose it because we figured it combined peninsular Malaysia's prosperity with Indonesian Borneo's informality.
With the air tickets and accommodation arranged, we eagerly awaited the fateful day of our flight. Before that, we had researched what kind of activities that we could enjoy. We arrived in Kota Kinabalu expecting the atmosphere of a frontier outpost. In fact, this largest city of Sabah with a population of 200,000 is a bustling and modern with easy access to the world. Kota Kinabalu has a good, though not busy, harbour. It is just a short motorboat ride to islands protected as a national park where there is great birding, hiking, snorkelling and wildlife watching. The weather was not too kind to us when we arrived so we just kicked back in our rooms as we imagined ourselves on a cool mountain slope, at one with nature.
Our 2nd day was a full day visit to Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Gaya Islands, a short motorboat ride from the Kota Kinabalu docks. Part of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, the islands are thoroughly protected. Although the primal forest is gone, the re-growth is now mature enough to offer a decent habitat to several species of primates, hornbills and many other birds. It is a good place to walk through mangroves and identify their characteristic plants and animals. Crossing a small strait to Sapi Island we felt we had arrived a major beach resort. Lots of people come here to swim, especially on weekends. For us, the principal attraction was the coral reef, which was surprisingly rich in fish and coral. The rental masks were of only fair quality and you may wish to bring your own. Scuba diving is available with advanced notice. The local wildlife, now tourist dependent, included long-tailed macaques and enormous monitor lizards approaching the size of a Komodo dragon!
On the next day, leaving KK early, we decided to board a taxi which cost us RM80 per way to Kinabalu Park. It was a long journey of about 2 hours from KK, but with breath taking sceneries of the countryside. This is a must go place to who love all types of flora and fauna. Many species of birds and animals are now found only within the park. According to the locals, one can see Gunung Kinabalu clearly from the park, but unfortunately, at time when we were there, the weather again did not oblige us. Covered by heavy haze/cloud/mist/, we decided to go to Ranau, famous for its hot springs, canopy walk and butterfly farm. Back in Kota Kinabalu, we had a wonderful visit of the pasar malam or night markets. In the cool of the evening at the waterfront, scores of vendors set up portable charcoal grills and sell freshly prepared seafood. You can buy fish, squid, shellfish, shrimp, eel and a full variety of fresh vegetables, pastries, drink concoctions, sauces and spices. Open-air food courts and ambitious Chinese restaurants invite everyone to feast. Nearby side streets were converted to black markets selling counterfeit clothing, watches, sunglasses, athletic shoes, toys, cosmetics and music.
Finally, it was time for some retail therapy. Gaya market, famous for its handicrafts and traditional Borneo products, we spend almost half day wandering around it looking for good buys. There's a lot of stuff never seen back on the mainland. I bought few curios including a unique miniature drum/gong made of wood, while Shara and Anita were busy looking for textiles/clothes for their loved ones. On the last night, we were told by the hotel operator that of the cheap seafood. We managed to enjoy some dishes and found out that their way of cooking seafood dishes is a little bit different compared to the way its done in Peninsula Malaysia. However, we did enjoy the food a lot.
It was a crazy, fun trip that everyone enjoyed. One thing for sure, if we were given another chance, we would like to explore other part of Borneo which includes Tg Aru Beach, Sipadan Island, Kota Belud and Sepilok.
It all really began when I met Kak Jam, the President of Malaysian Coral Reef Conservation Society (CoRal Malaysia) at her office back in Kuala Lumpur. She told me that the society is organising a record setting underwater painting activity. As a diver, I was naturally interested in the project and instantly signed up. In conjunction with this year’s Merdeka month celebration, we were to paint the first
ever Jalur Gemilang underwater! It was to the very first time I was participating in a CoRal Malaysia project.
So here I am. Kapas Island is beautiful. The people here are friendly, the environment here is refreshing, and the atmosphere here is calm and refreshing. After a short introduction to the rest of the divers for this project (there
were almost fifty of us!), we went for an orientation dive – my first dive in the waters of Kapas Island! – and discovered many interesting marine specimens. That evening, we were briefed on the more intricate details of the painting project
itself by Ajis Mohamad – Malaysia’s first underwater artist.
There were to be three dives all together, two to complete the flag itself and the last one to work on the marine creatures surrounding the flag.
Everyone was excited the next morning. After the project was officiated by the Menteri Besar of Terengganu, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, we heated out to the site for our first dive. It wasn’t very deep, just about five meters. However, some unexpected guests had turned up to witness our activity – a large school of jellyfish of various size and length.
Everywhere I turned, there were jellyfish. Safety came first of course, considering that we were quite a big group, so everyone looked out for each other. Personally, I found that first dive really challenging, as I also had to constantly watch out for my dive buddy.
Doing the painting itself was a unique experience. On that first dive, I spent about an hour underwater. The task was tricky because all this while, we were so used to painting straight up. This time however, it was done downwards. It was
a fun experience. The divers of the project itself were a great bunch. Everyone was like a family and there was a lot of respect or each other. You need that as divers. Everyone was constantly helping and looking out for one another.
I recalled an incident involving one of the divers while underwater. A jellyfish stung him on the leg. He panicked and started convulsing. With the help of a divemaster, we managed to help that diver surface and got him to the paramedics who were standing by. Thankfully, the sting was not poisonous.
The flag was completed in record time. By the time I went for the third dive of the day, some of the marine creatures were already painted and the flag looked fabulous. There was generally a good feeling in the air after the task was
completed. I was very proud of everyone for accomplishing the project. The flag was the result of everyone’s co-operation and work, so that made it special. I am definitely interested in participating in future CoRal Malaysia projects.
In a victorious dinner that night, we watched videos of our project and everyone was laughing and joking. Projects like those initiated by CoRal Malaysia is important to spread awareness of environmental issues of the underwater world,
but there is also so much we can do on land. Cleanliness is important and everyone should play their part in it. The Merdeka Dive is a fine example of what we can accomplish if we work together.
