August @ "Merdeka Month"

Fasting month it is but I wish to post this entry though ... The month of August signifies the "merdeka" month for several Asia countries - thanks to the Imperial Japan's invasion of Asia & later the A-Bombs of Hiroshima & Nagasaki which hastened the surrender of Japan.

Indonesia took a brave & early front by unilaterally declaring her independence this August @ 17 August 1945 almost immediately after Japan surrendered. Fighting with blood & sweat against the incoming Allied Forces who came after years before being shamed & humbled by an Asian Japan.

While Malaysia somehow or rather missed the boat/"Bahtera Merdeka" for certain reasons - perhaps the "Bahtera Merdeka" sailed to the "right" rather then to the "left" instead"!!! Be that as it may, Malaysia finally gained her independence on 31 August 1957 - also in the month of August. So as India on 15 August 1947 & Pakistan - all in August ...

The Indonesian poet, Chairil Anwar wrote these "independence theme" poems:

PERSETUJUAN DENGAN BUNG KARNO

" Ayo! Bung Karno kasi tangan mari kita bikin janji
Aku sudah cukup lama dengar bicaramu
dipanggang atas apimu, digarami oleh lautmu

Dari mulai tanggal 17 Agustus 1945
Aku melangkah ke depan berada rapat di sisimu
Aku sekarang api aku sekarang laut

Bung Karno! Kau dan aku satu zat satu urat
Di zatmu di zatku kapal-kapal kita belayar
Di uratmu di uratku kapal-kapal kita bertolak & berlabuh."
[1948]

DIPONEGORO

" Di masa pembangunan ini
tuan hidup kembali

Dan bara kagum menjadi api

Di depan sekali tuan menanti
Tak gentar. Lawan banyaknya seratus kali.
Pedang di kanan, keris di kiri
Berselempang semangat yang tak bisa mati.

MAJU.

Ini barisan tak bergenderang-berpalu
Kepercayaan tanda menyerbu.

Sekali berarti
Sudah itu mati.

MAJU.

Bagimu Negeri
Menyediakan api.

Punah di atas menghamba
Binasa di atas ditinda

Sungguhpun dalam ajal baru tercapai
Jika hidup harus merasai.

Maju.
Serbu.
Serang.
Terjang."
[1943]

This year's independence month coincides with the fasting month ... so the cry of "Merdeka" should be more meaningful - spiritually apart from the yearly routine of "kibarkan jalur gemilang"!!!!

Till the next posting ......