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Force 136: Malaysia's Finest Freedom Fighters

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Kim Osman - What does the word 'MERDEKA' mean to me?

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Kim Osman - What does the word 'MERDEKA' mean to me?

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(rewritten since i didnt like the last one)

While the word 'Merdeka' has different interpretations to all, I find 'Merdeka' to be a way of life-- as opposed to that of a word on its own, which places autonomy and emancipation as its highest virtues. Among the reasons I believe in this is because of the history of the word; given that most either think of Tunku Abdul Rahman announcing our independence synonymously with the repeated words of “Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!”, or to the various different guerilla militias who had sought out our independence from imperial powers through bloodshed and triumph.

Either way, my keen interest in history has caused me to take particular note of the latter, for the harsh struggles of independence would only be able to make the former circumstance possible. One of the most notorious militias that championed our independence would be Force 136-- the renegade guerilla group that engaged in partisan warfare with the Japanese Imperial Army, as well as rallying proxy militias in retaliation to fascist rule. Thinking about them, I can only imagine their paratrooping and stealth operations which they utilised to both subdue and vanquish the Japanese, all the while being made up of lightly-equipped Malay soldiers whom had received the buck of the barrel when it came to equipment as compared to other Commonwealth soldiers whom would also attempt to fend off the Japanese in much better equipment.

Though, that is not to say that the struggle was all-and-well with unicorns and rainbows, for by very nature, war is sure to cause both hardship and death. It is an unfortunate truth, really, and I do wish it could be avoided-- but I suppose such terrible misfortunes are only expected when battling such evil imperial powers who had no remorse in causing the agonies to which they did. Consequently, I believe that their struggle is only necessary to be both remembered and memorialised, for their innate resilience and dedication in pursuing our independence has only brought our country to a state of ‘Merdeka’ to which it deserves.

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Wan Sofea- What the word MERDEKA means to me? 

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Wan Sofea- What the word MERDEKA means to me? 

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Based on Wikipedia, Merdeka is a word in the Indonesian and Malay languages that means independent or free. It is derived from the Sanskrit word, maharddhika meaning rich, prosperous and powerful.

Considering our country is celebrating its independence on Tuesday, 31th August next week, I will take this golden opportunity to share what Merdeka really mean to me. From my point of view, the word Merdeka cannot be described in simple words like freedom, sovereignty and independence only. Merdeka means having the prerogative to govern our own beloved country without facing interference from colonizers anymore. Merdeka means the civilian can live harmoniously and peacefully together regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.

Consequently, as Malaysians, we should never forget and neglect the sacrifices made by our warriors who were willing to fight and shed blood in combat to gain independence.  It was the price they were willing to pay for freedom. All of the formidable hurdles they've faced, the pains they've endured and the tears they've shed, they went through all of these struggles to ensure a better future for the next generations. If only I could express my appreciation and thankfulness to our brave heroes. Therefore, let us take a moment to remind ourselves of the sacrifices and contributions made by our ancestors during those challenging times.

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Nur Adrina- The word MERDEKA reminds me of

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Nur Adrina- The word MERDEKA reminds me of

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The word “Merdeka” reminds me of the joyous Merdeka Parade. Most Malaysians will gather at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31st. We can watch the parade of decorated cars, Royal inspection, flags raising, Rukun Negara recitation and cultural and patriotic performance. People may think Merdeka Day is just another public holiday. For me, Merdeka Day is a fitting time to ignite patriotism, loyalty and pride for the country, especially among the younger generation.

However, we should not forget the sacrifices and contributions of our heroes and also the then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman who was responsible for the country to gain independence. We need to be thankful to all who have worked hard to achieve unity for the nation today.

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The word "MERDEKA" reminds me of unity. The unity of Malaysians to celebrate the independence and love of our country. Also in remembrance of our united forefathers and the affliction they went through to achieve freedom. If we weren't in a pandemic, I'm sure our people would be gathering at Merdeka Square to celebrate this historic event with fireworks, flag-waving cheer, and excitement on the 31st of August. Not to forget, the iconic Merdeka parade! Regardless of our age, our race, and our beliefs, this is the culmination of our unity!

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to me, the word merdeka means freedom and it reminds me of the hard work and dedication of our ancestors to gain independence from imperialism, freedom from the sufferings and inequalities they went through. i cant imagine how they felt during that time but i can sympathize with them. other than that, the word merdeka also symbolizes happiness for malaysians because it means that we, despite our differences, unite and stand together. it also reminds me of school merdeka celebrations and how loud the students sang all the patriotic songs during assembly. i am proud to live happily in a multiracial country in harmony. we should celebrate independence day to show our sense of pride and connect deeply with our roots.

to relate to our current situation in our country, we should always unite and stand together just like how our ancestors did to fight against corruption and inequalities in the country so that we can make malaysia a greater country and maintain harmony in the country.

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The word "MERDEKA" may just mean a public holiday to some, but to me it means a whole lot more. Merdeka means the independence Malaysia gained 64 years ago. Our foremothers and fathers fought hard to regain the right to determine the course of our country for ourselves. Thanks to them we get to live in a peaceful multiracial and multicultural country. Besides that, Merdeka also means that we are all equal. No matter where we came from, what our race is or our status, we all are equal. Ultimately, Merdeka means independence and freedom to our beloved country and we should develop a sense of attachment and pride of being a citizen of the country.

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The word MERDEKA means to support and love our country, as well as to honour those who struggled to bring this country independence. When I hear the word “merdeka” I think of a better future where everyone is united as one and constantly support and respect each other. We can express our love and support to this country by waving the Jalur Gemilang , respecting the national anthem Negaraku and even small acts such as supporting local brands during these difficult times.

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Merdeka means a lot to me. It's commonly associated with independence however to me it also signifies gratitude, freedom and liberty. The continuous fight our ancestors had to put up to bring us to the place we are in today in Malaysia should not be forgotten and by that i don't only mean being grateful but also patriotic towards our country, Malaysia. This is why I think learning history in school is just as important as the other subjects and students should show more interest in the subject. Our country’s road to independence was not without sacrifice. It gained us the freedom of speech as well for people from different communities, religions, ethnicities and genders. Which is why, it is important that we as Malaysians should put our differences aside and stick up for each other through thick and thin.

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The word "Merdeka" means independent or free. It reminds me of our ancestors who had work towards independence. Merdeka symbolises happiness, for the people of Malaysia. It's when everyone comes united to celebrate the independence of the nation. I want to look toward a better Malaysia in the near future, and of course i hope that the country will remain peaceful as always, too.

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The word "Merdeka" reminds me of our beloved country achieving its independence and it means freedom towards a better future for everyone. It always amaze me how our ancestors continuously fought for our country. I can't even imagine how much they suffered and how much pain they went through just for all of us. 31 August 1957, the date where we are finally free of slavery.
I still remembered the way me and my friends singing "Jalur Gemilang" wholeheartedly during the Merdeka celebrations at school. Not to forget the Merdeka themed class decorations!

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Merdeka reminds me of the sacrifices of our ancestors that fought for independence until their last drop of blood in order for the next generation to enjoy peace and prosperity. Other than that, Merdeka also reminds me of the day where everyone gather up to celebrate Independence day of Malaysia therefore strengthen relationships between all races.

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the word "Merdeka" reminds me of the importance of perseverance and bravery.In order to achieve independence or "Merdeka" the people of Malaysia had to endure many challenges like the struggle of freeing itself from colonist like the british and japanese that were brought in by world war 2 which had a large number of repercussions to the country, or even the challenges of over coming racism and segregation within
the country from the multitude of races brought into Malaysia. Although there are still problems Malaysia facing today, we have come a long way from our pre-independence and have a greater quality of life thanks to the hard work of our forefathers which gives us a great deal to be grateful for.
"Merdeka" reminds me of unity between individuals. Independence was not achieved through the work of one individual or group but the hard work of all
the people of Malaysia who wished to free themselves from their shackles, which could only be achieved through the combined work, persistance and intellegence of the people.
"Merdeka" to me is a reminder of what we are, as well as a way to connect us to our roots of troubles and hardships to where we are today

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Merdeka means a lot to me. It represents freedom and liberty. Merdeka also means that we have the right to use our voices and speak out against inequality, discrimination or differences of opinion, which we did not have 64 years ago. Apart from independence, Merdeka signifies Malaysia gaining a sense of identity. It is a day when people of all ages, races, beliefs and genders gather to celebrate the independence of our beloved country.

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Merdeka because it reminds me of the struggle people had to gain our country's freedom. Merdeka means alot to me. Every year we celebrate our Independance Day on the 31st of August. This year will be our 64th year of independance. Every day I feel grateful that our country is independant. Our country's independance allow us to unite as one. We should all appreciate what our figures have done to help gain our independance.

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The word MERDEKA reminds me of celebration at school, the sound of students giggling while waving our country’s flag, Jalur Gemilang to the iconic song “Saya Anak Malaysia” with the whole school, and of course, all the Merdeka themed competitions like decorating our class, colouring posters, dressing up with colourful colours mainly from our flag, red, blue, white and yellow. Unfortunately ,we didn’t get to celebrate our Merdeka together last year and maybe this year too because of the current situation. I really hope things will get better and I’ll get to celebrate with my new classmates before our school year ends.

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To me, Merdeka means resilience. Resilience in the face of adversity, injustice, and imperialism. For the past 64 years, we have relished living in a country liberated from external control born from the fruits of our ancestors’ labour and sacrifice. The people of the past were subjected to cruelty beyond our imaginations, yet, with the passage of time, their experiences have begun to evanesce. We, as the citizens of a free Malaysia, must commemorate the incredible resilience displayed by them and not allow their courage to seep between the cracks and elude the consciousness of future generations.

We must be resilient against the tribulations of our present situation and constantly strive to better ourselves to not only attain, but surpass, the vision our forefathers had in mind to form a country that all can—and are proud to—live in.

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Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka...... As I hear recordings of our first Prime Minister Tengku Abdul Rahman joyfully and proudly shouting, celebrating the independence of Malaya after years and years of being colonised, what goes in my mind?

The word Merdeka does not merely mean independence to me. It means freedom, no more suffering and a celebration for all. As the 31st of August come along every year, we are reminded of the blood, sweat and tears shed by nationalist, country warriors and of course Lieutenant Adnan. Although History isn’t my favourite subject, the action of the Ministry of Education making History as a must to pass is understood by me as children nowadays have to learn to appreciate the sacrifices made just to gain independence. I remember our History class teacher telling us stories about how the people suffered in the hands of the cruel and ruthless Japanese army. It was horrible and traumatising. Therefore, as we celebrate the freedom of Malaysia next Tuesday, do take a time to sit and respect all the lives that have been taken before independence was gained in Malaysia.

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The word Merdeka reminds me of the continuous fight that our ancestors fought so our country gain independence. The establishment of various types of political parties such as  UMNO, MCA and MCI brought unity between races which was one of the main objectives instructed by the British government to us Malaysians through the basis of decolonization in order to achieve independence. Although it is sad to know that generation nowadays are losing interest in Malay history. Many of which are losing their patriotism simply because Malay History are mostly dull. Do I agree with this statement? I do but despite it being tedious we need to honor the hard work that past leaders such as Dato Onn Jaafar  and Tunku Abdul Rahman who fought bravely to gain independence for our country. I hope teens and adults alike shall change their perspective and mindset towards our Malay History. Be grateful that you live in a safe environment. Free of slavery and the fear of a higher power is no more.

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The word "Merdeka" means emancipation from colonialism and subjection. To me, the word "Merdeka" also means having the privilege of ruling our country without having any imperialists or capitalists interfering our liberty to rule our country. Merdeka also resembles the difficulties and struggles warriors of our nation went through to fully understand the intricacies of the freedom struggle and what it cost our forefathers to emancipate our country. It's also defining the stability and peacefulness of Malaysia as we live harmoniously in a country where there are no wars and conflicts which deteriorate humans' lives.

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Erin Thong

Merdeka means a great deal to me and also to all the people of Malaysia. However, we've all heard of the Merdeka but what exactly does Merdeka mean?

As we all know, Merdeka means independence. Nevertheless, Merdeka means a whole lot more than just independence to me. Personally, I think Merdeka defines the fact that we are no longer slaves of another country, we no longer need to dance to their tune, we are no longer birds imprisoned in a cage and we as the citizens of Malaysia have united as one despite the differences in race and religion.

After shouting "Merdeka!" seven times at the Merdeka Stadium,  we were finally allowed to spread our wings and fly. Worries and disappointments turned into dust in a split second. That is what Merdeka means to me.

In a nutshell, Merdeka is not just a word, it is a symbol of freedom, happiness, unity and a new start for all the people of Malaysia.

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singing ‘Jalur Gemilang’ loudly with my friends while frantically waving a mini Malaysia flag  in our cramped school hall. I remember we also had traditional attire fashion shows and lively performances by teachers and students. Merdeka celebrations in school are really memorable to me;  it’s such a bummer that we are unable to carry out these activities because of the situation right now. Hopefully we will declare independence from this virus that have been conquering our country for almost two years now!
Although Merdeka is a joyous celebration, we must not forget the hardships of our fearless ancestors to claim independence for our beloved nation. It was definitely not easy therefore we should be grateful for the freedom we have today.

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What MERDEKA reminds me of..?
MERDEKA reminds me of Tunku Abdul Rahman chanting "Merdeka!" 11 times. It also reminds me about how people in Tanah Melayu suffer during colonialism of Japan, British and also Malayan Communist Party. I cant even imagine the suffer from the people in Tanah Melayu before Merdeka.  We, as the young generation in Malaysia should appreciate the Malaysian struggle figures that sacrifice themself to make Malaysia a better place for us.

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Merdeka means getting together to celebrate in unity for the love of our country Malaysia .Malaysia is a multiracial country and we live in harmony regardless of ethnic, race or religion which makes us so special. It takes pride in our Nationality to be called One Malaysia. It’s defining our love for the nation, protecting the honour of our country and enjoying the beautiful unique cultural and historical aspects we practice.

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The word "Merdeka" reminds me of our forefathers who have led much more difficult life than we can ever imagine. They worked hard to build our country and we owe everything to them. Independence has given us freedom and that's a gift more precious than any material thing. It's a valuable lesson to convey to our children, who have been born into a world of plenty.