ID :
199387
Fri, 08/05/2011 - 17:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/199387
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIAN YOUTH WILLING TO 'STRUGGLE' FOR THE NATION
By Hazlinda Hamzah
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- This year, the 1st of Syawal (Aidilfitri)
is expected to fall within 24 hours of the 54th Merdeka Day celebrations.
A similar situation occurred 32 years ago when Aidilfitri fell in early
September. But the scenario in the early post-Merdeka years was quite different
from today, especially among the youths.
"Youths of today lack patriotism, not like their forefathers. All of this is
due to the country's rapid and robust development. The modernisation is
overwhelming," said Rosli Johnny, 64.
He is a cousin of late Rosli Dhoby, who fought for the east Malaysian state
of Sarawak's independence from Britain.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Rosli Dhoby was hanged by the British rulers in March 1950, at the age of
17. Three others – who were part of the Rukun 13 (a Malay youth movement in
Sibu, Sarawak) - Awang Rambli Amit Mohd Deli, Bujang Suntong and Morshidi Sidek,
were also sentenced to death the same year.
The sentence was meted out to them for attempting to murder the then Sarawak
British Governor Sir Duncan George Stewart, who was visiting Sibu in 1949.
"The remains of Rosli were buried in the same grave as that of his three
friends. Their cemetery is located in the compound of Kuching Central Prison.
Rosli's family was not allowed to see his remains," said Rosli Johnny.
At the time of the incident, Rosli Johnny was only three years old.
Even this writer had visited the grave of the four independence heroes in
the early 90s. Infact, she is the grandchild of one of them – Awang Rambli Amit
Mohd Deli.
PAST DIFFERENT FROM PRESENT
The British rulers were scared of the sacrifices made by the youth, who
fought for the independence, and put the rest of the freedom fighters behind
bars.
However when asked about the current generation of youth and how they were
different from the youth who fought for the independence of the nation, Rosli
Johnny gave a mixed response.
The difference could be due to the fact that the youth of today surround
themselves with modern technology and gadgets, he observed.
"Youths today are daring but are more inclined to place their interest
first, rarely for the nation. Not like their forefathers who would die for the
nation, for its honour and sovereignty. That is the difference between youths of
today and those in the old days.
"The nation needs youths who have the brains apart from being productive.
Now the youths lack the true fighting spirit," Rosli Johnny, who retired from
the Sarawak branch of the Inland Revenue Department in 2003, said.
And what do the youth today have to say?
Aki Najmuddin Laili, 29, of Petaling Jaya, said he was willing to fight for
the nation, to uphold its freedom and sovereignty. "No problems.
InsyaAllah. This is to protect all Malaysians," Aki, who is married and with
a child, said.
CONTRIBUTION OF YOUTHS
Some are of the opinion that the youth today are ready to make sacrifices,
not for the nation but for their own personal satisfaction.
Penang state-born Wan Sham Wahidin, 57, who has been staying in Ampangan,
Seremban in Negeri Sembilan state for 16 years, said, "the youths now are
inclined to make sacrifices for something not worth the effort. They are willing
to die for drug abuse, willing to die in illegal races which can tarnish their
family's reputation as well as the people and nation in the eyes of the world. "
Although true to some extent, not all youth today can be cast in the same
mould.
Malaysians are frequently reminded: "Do not ask what the nation can do for
you, but ask what you can contribute to the nation?"
Nurul Akma Jamaluddin of Shah Alam said she is willing to sacrifice her
assets, money and time in order to ensure the safety and prosperity of the
country.
Muhammad Taufik Awang, 18, of Terengganu also agreed to this and said:
"Sure, I am willing to die for the country!"
WORKING FOR THE COUNTRY
Nurul Adila Salim of Cheras is willing to stay and work in the country after
graduating from a private institution of higher learning.
"When I complete my studies in multimedia engineering, I will contribute my
knowledge by working in Malaysia. That is my contribution and sacrifice, despite
some claim that the pay is not that lucrative," Nurul enthusiastically said.
Any form of sacrifice and contribution has to be in totality for the benefit
of the country.
Munikrishnayya, who works in Pahang and comes home on the weekend to be with
his family in Klang, said the sense of belongingness to the nation should come
from one's own soul.
"I am confident my children will rise and fight for the nation if threatened
by intruders. The spirit comes naturally and needs no force," Munikrishnayya
added, while gazing at his son Vinod Naidu.
"I am willing to make my contribution when it comes to ensure peace,
prosperity and stability for the country," 20-year-old Vinod concurred.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- This year, the 1st of Syawal (Aidilfitri)
is expected to fall within 24 hours of the 54th Merdeka Day celebrations.
A similar situation occurred 32 years ago when Aidilfitri fell in early
September. But the scenario in the early post-Merdeka years was quite different
from today, especially among the youths.
"Youths of today lack patriotism, not like their forefathers. All of this is
due to the country's rapid and robust development. The modernisation is
overwhelming," said Rosli Johnny, 64.
He is a cousin of late Rosli Dhoby, who fought for the east Malaysian state
of Sarawak's independence from Britain.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Rosli Dhoby was hanged by the British rulers in March 1950, at the age of
17. Three others – who were part of the Rukun 13 (a Malay youth movement in
Sibu, Sarawak) - Awang Rambli Amit Mohd Deli, Bujang Suntong and Morshidi Sidek,
were also sentenced to death the same year.
The sentence was meted out to them for attempting to murder the then Sarawak
British Governor Sir Duncan George Stewart, who was visiting Sibu in 1949.
"The remains of Rosli were buried in the same grave as that of his three
friends. Their cemetery is located in the compound of Kuching Central Prison.
Rosli's family was not allowed to see his remains," said Rosli Johnny.
At the time of the incident, Rosli Johnny was only three years old.
Even this writer had visited the grave of the four independence heroes in
the early 90s. Infact, she is the grandchild of one of them – Awang Rambli Amit
Mohd Deli.
PAST DIFFERENT FROM PRESENT
The British rulers were scared of the sacrifices made by the youth, who
fought for the independence, and put the rest of the freedom fighters behind
bars.
However when asked about the current generation of youth and how they were
different from the youth who fought for the independence of the nation, Rosli
Johnny gave a mixed response.
The difference could be due to the fact that the youth of today surround
themselves with modern technology and gadgets, he observed.
"Youths today are daring but are more inclined to place their interest
first, rarely for the nation. Not like their forefathers who would die for the
nation, for its honour and sovereignty. That is the difference between youths of
today and those in the old days.
"The nation needs youths who have the brains apart from being productive.
Now the youths lack the true fighting spirit," Rosli Johnny, who retired from
the Sarawak branch of the Inland Revenue Department in 2003, said.
And what do the youth today have to say?
Aki Najmuddin Laili, 29, of Petaling Jaya, said he was willing to fight for
the nation, to uphold its freedom and sovereignty. "No problems.
InsyaAllah. This is to protect all Malaysians," Aki, who is married and with
a child, said.
CONTRIBUTION OF YOUTHS
Some are of the opinion that the youth today are ready to make sacrifices,
not for the nation but for their own personal satisfaction.
Penang state-born Wan Sham Wahidin, 57, who has been staying in Ampangan,
Seremban in Negeri Sembilan state for 16 years, said, "the youths now are
inclined to make sacrifices for something not worth the effort. They are willing
to die for drug abuse, willing to die in illegal races which can tarnish their
family's reputation as well as the people and nation in the eyes of the world. "
Although true to some extent, not all youth today can be cast in the same
mould.
Malaysians are frequently reminded: "Do not ask what the nation can do for
you, but ask what you can contribute to the nation?"
Nurul Akma Jamaluddin of Shah Alam said she is willing to sacrifice her
assets, money and time in order to ensure the safety and prosperity of the
country.
Muhammad Taufik Awang, 18, of Terengganu also agreed to this and said:
"Sure, I am willing to die for the country!"
WORKING FOR THE COUNTRY
Nurul Adila Salim of Cheras is willing to stay and work in the country after
graduating from a private institution of higher learning.
"When I complete my studies in multimedia engineering, I will contribute my
knowledge by working in Malaysia. That is my contribution and sacrifice, despite
some claim that the pay is not that lucrative," Nurul enthusiastically said.
Any form of sacrifice and contribution has to be in totality for the benefit
of the country.
Munikrishnayya, who works in Pahang and comes home on the weekend to be with
his family in Klang, said the sense of belongingness to the nation should come
from one's own soul.
"I am confident my children will rise and fight for the nation if threatened
by intruders. The spirit comes naturally and needs no force," Munikrishnayya
added, while gazing at his son Vinod Naidu.
"I am willing to make my contribution when it comes to ensure peace,
prosperity and stability for the country," 20-year-old Vinod concurred.
