Aug 29 2008
Majulah….
For the first time in more than 3 years since I’ve been posted to Indonesia, I was in Singapore on 9th August as my country celebrated its 43rd Independence Day. I went home to catch the parade and celebrations on TV- at home - with my family. We stood up to sing the national anthem and recited the pledge together withthousands others at the parade location at Marina Bay. And that too was my first - singing the national anthem at home with my family.
2 weeks later, I sang the national anthem again. This time in Jakarta - at a national day celebration organized by the Singapore Embassy. I sang together with hundreds of other Singaporeans and their families gathered at the Anglo Chinese School.
It felt different. I didn’t feel that connected as when I sang the “Majulah Singapura” with my wife and kids - even though we were just at home in front of the TV set. In Jakarta - at the impressive Anglo Chinese School auditorium - I didn’t sing with gusto. There was no feel.
Could it be because my family was not with me in Jakarta to give that “connection”? Family has been said to keep you rooted. Frankly, despite meeting so many Singaporeans at the celebration, I didn’tfeel too “Singaporean” compared to when I was with my family at home - watching the parade.
By the way - talking about roots - many Singaporeans I met in Jakarta would have known by now that I am a Singaporean. My Indonesian name is courtesy of my late father who hailed from Central Java. So part of my roots are in Indonesia.
Nevertheless, the Singapore food served at the celebration was quite good. Briyani rice, chicken rice, kaya toast, mie goreng etc. Of course they weren’t as good as the ones in Singapore. But as the Singapore ambassador jested it was meant to be that way so that we would always come back home to have the best and the original. Haha! Nice one Mr Ashok!
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON..
Fandi and youngest son, Iryan. Fandi’s 3 other sons have been scouted by Spanish football club Valencia and Italian giant AC Milan.
Met my former secondary school mate who had just moved to Jakarta with his family. And it was nice to hear football stories from Fandi Ahmad who is coaching a local club. By the way his fifth and youngest child, Iryan shares his birthday with Singapore. Pity, this fact was not known at the celebration. May be next year Iryan can lead in singing the national anthem.Hmmm..but would the 2-year old know how to sing the “Majulah” since he lives abroad?
Living in Germany, has put the question of nationalism in a different dimension for me. This is a country that has put aside a paragraf of its national anthem, because of its overly nationalistic nature and therefor considered dangerous.
For me as a foreigner, the critical way Germans look at their nationalism is only one of the many aspects which make me respect this folk. Sometimes to the point of wishing that my own folk or more folks were critical of nationalism, or at least able to differentiate meaning and ritual.
In fact I think, anthems in itself are difficult because many attempt to project a state of being. So when one looks at it critically, one also finds questions like, “is this truly our state of being?”, besides other questions like “is the text anachronistic”, “was the composition copied from somewhere else”, “are we or can we ever be like that song” and, “should we really be that nationalistic”?
Then sometimes I wonder, whether people really dare answer even the simplest of those questions and look honestly in their hearts at what it means.
So yes, it is interesting to think about when does nationalism overkill happen. It can’t really be after singing a national anthem the second time in a year, but maybe something else?
Perhaps Sujadi, Majulah Singapura works better for you with the family because the anthem speaks to you of the future of your children. It has meaning. While at the Anglo American School it felt more like a ritual.
Rituals, repeated over and over for the sake of ?tradition? tend to overkill and to my mind, lose meaning. Then again, for others rituals may mean the strengthening or legitimizing of a being and thus tends to enfor and reinforce, as often as possible.
I watched Maria Kristin Yulianti, Indonesia’s female badminton player during the Olympics at 4 AM with pride. She was young, brave, good and tough, and yes she was Indonesian. I think I have never felt as nationalistic, as when I was watching her. To me, she made a meaning, much more than my singing a national anthem.
salam
I had the privilaged of attending a National Day Dinner in Singapore hosted by a grassroot organization. It was such joyious occasion. Though I’ve stayed for more than half my life here, I’ve never truly felt the bond with this country that has provided me with my education and work (and loved ones of course) until that very dinner. Sitting at my table are a family of 4 who have just became citizens, a local Chinese couple, my 2 S’porean friends and an Ang Moh. Besides the food and the diversed cultural entertainment, I felt the pride in these people ….. honest! All came from different background but able to communicate with ease. People mingled freely not minding your color or status. There were no pretences. When some of the national songs were played, many shamelessly sang with gusto. When i asked the new citizen what made him be one, his answer was simple; he sees his children future here. My family back home considers me too ‘S’porean” as I talk, eat and socialize like one and yet I had never admitted being or living like one. My work requires me to travel wide and far and like many, always looking for a prosperous greener pasture. After that evening, I somehow admitted that the green pasture has always been here. This has always been home. Here was where I had my footing, did my studies, met my friends, found love and had my heart broken and many more. I miss my food, bed, the humble beaches, the green parks and even the irritating “upstairs” neighbours when I’m away. I always complain of traffic jams, lousy public transport, bad service and etc like typical Singaporean when abroad . Urggg.. No more denials, I am one at heart.
And yes, I had goosebumps when “Majulah Singapura” was sung and the pledge was cited. I truely understood every word and I feel connected.