Trip Start Jan 20, 2005
20Trip End Nov 17, 2005
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This literally means Happy Freedom National, Happy Independance day.
48 years ago independance was given to Malaysia from Britain at the cricket pitch the Brits built in the center of KL, and now 48 years later, the same cricket pitch is used to stage a bit of a show for the locals. Although now it's more of a field than a cricket pitch, just a bit of grass.
Yes, this was my first independance day, ever, actually. A few of us got a bus up to the twin towers to see a fireworks display at 12 midnight, it was quite exciting because it seemed everyone in KL was taking the trip.
We only got as far as Ampang Park, about 5 mins away from the towers because the roads had been closed off so we walked with the masses towards the towers.
There were swarms of motorbikes as the youth of Malaysia came out to have a good time. The feeling was that of an international football match, everyone waiting aprehensivly for the start.
Actually I started wondering, wouldn't it be nice if we had an independance day, actually Charlotte asked me when ours was, then I asked her who excatly would we have independance from?
But then i decided that whenever England plays in the World cup I guess thats the closest we get to an independance day. Other than the special occasions such as the Queens Jubilee. Really I suppose VE day should be a form of independace day, but this is rarely the case.
But I thought independance day would bring the communities of Malaysia together, when i arrived at the twin towers I knew I was wrong. At the twin towers the Malay group gather, at a different place (Sungiwan shopping center) the Chinese gather, and again another place for the Indians.
But really the 2 main groups, Malays and Chinese are very different. Malays certainly have a certain look about them, especailly the youth, they are exceptionally cocky I mean more than UK youth, they're embracing western culture as their life guide
Although they seem to have missed the 90's and 2000's and only the 80's mags have got through, mullets and little "Freddy Mercury" mustashes are in. So are leather coats and motorbikes, its pretty bizare. The Indian community also go for this look.
The Chinese culture is much more up to date, the difference is obvious.
Anyway, I tried to make may way through the thronging masses of young Malays, pushing and fighting, ofcouse I had my mobile stolen, which means i'm going to have to buy a new alarm clock.
It was actually quite a threatening atmosphere, being the only white man in the whole place I was stared at, and all white people are considered rich in Malaysia (expats get good exchange rate so most are) there were no policemen in sight as I estimate about 100K people converged! how insane!!
The fireworks were good, actually excelent probably the best display i've seen. Everyone was holding up their mobile phone or camera take a quick snap.
I thought the fireworks would be over the twin towers, great photo oppotunity i thought, but no they weren't oh well. The smoke drifted around the daunting and gigantic towers at the end
The polution was as bad as ever as we made our way back to Ampang (about 40min walk) all the buses were chockablock, and there was traffic queued all the way back.
Some of the youth decided to push over everyones motorbikes, smashing the lights, I guess it's up to you what you do with your freedom.
Afterall, man is condemned to be free.
A question, how many independance day's across the world are because of the British?
We have, USA, S.Africa, Malaysia, Singapore alots of other African countries like Ghana, Zimbabwee....but what about Ausralia, Canada and New Zealand? Do they have independance days or not because the Queen is still their head of state?
Anyone know the answer?