Independence Day

Half a century ago today, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia stood on a podium in a crowded sports stadium in Kuala Lumpur and, raising his arms in the air, shouted three times "Merdeka!" ("Independence!"). And the crowd cheered, as well they should, because at that moment, more than two centuries of British colonial rule in the Malay Peninsular had come to an end. A new country was born.

Every year, 31st August is celebrated as Malaysia's National Day (hari kebangsaan). All over Malaysia, flags are displayed on car rooftops and buildings, old classic movies are shown on TV, school kids wear brightly coloured costumes and perform spectacular formation dance routines, and major towns proudly host parades and military displays and fly-pasts while dignitaries and members of royalty take the salute.

I personally have always been deeply impressed by merdeka parades. When large numbers of people get together and march in unison to stirring music, it usually brings lumps to my throat and, even though it's not my country, I find it hard to stop myself saluting. Which would probably be pretty bad form, seeing as I am a representative of the former colonial power!

So you can rest assured that I love the Malaysian independence say celebrations, and I think they do them exceptionally well over here. And they do them so well because they really genuinely care about the reasons why they are doing them.

One thing I have learned in my time in Malaysia is just how important patriotism and national pride are to people here. The issue of patriotism is not a joke. The flying of flags is taken seriously and mistreating the Malaysian flag - the Jalur gemilan - is considered very offensive, as is disrespect for the national anthem, the Negaraku. Just to illustrate this, a Malaysian student studying abroad was recently forced to apologise formally to the government for making an online video in which he created alternative lyrics for the national anthem. Some have even called for his passport to be revoked.

In the UK, by contrast, we make fun of our country and our flag, and call it free speech. People don't like to fly the Union Flag, and are embarrassed to admit they are patriotic and are embarrassed - quite rightly - for our colonial past. The royal family, the police, the military and the government are all open targets for jokes. Which is fine - because in the UK we have "Free Speech".

But is it more than that, I wonder? Let's see - what's the most fundamental difference between the UK and Malaysia? Malaysia is a former colony which won its independence from a foreign power, and the UK has, apart from a small Nazi toehold in the Channel Islands in World War Two - never been conquered by anyone else since 1066.

So my point is that it is very easy to scoff and make light of patriotism when your country has never been invaded or conquered. But when you country has had to fight or negotiate hard for its right to exist, then you have every right to stand up, wave your flag and salute when you like.

And that's why I am so impressed with this country. For all its warts - and there are a few - its people every year without fail get together as one and celebrate their country's birthday with pride in their hearts. And it's no joke. No irony. In the UK and other countries like ours, we tend to do this only when we are at war, or under attack.

So my message for Malaysian Independence Day is this - whatever your place of birth, be proud of where you are from, but don't denigrate those who come from other places. They say that the difference between patriotism and nationalism is that a patriot loves his country but respects other countries too, whereas a nationalist only loves his country.

So be patriots and be proud. I may not be around in another fifty years but I hope, and pray, that Malaysia will continue on with pride to become a country which is united, prosperous and safe.

So here's to the next fifty years and more of Merdeka!!!