67 Years of Independence: When Logos Become More Important Than Unity
In this great piece, Dr Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani says what matters after 67 years of independence of Malaysia, isn't the (Halal) logo on our products, but the values in our hearts
Can you believe it? We've been independent for 67 years, but our politics still resembles a kindergarten playground squabble over toys. And this time, the toy in question is a halal logo. Seriously? With all the pressing issues our nation faces, we're busy fighting over a logo?
UMNO and DAP, the two big shots in our unity government, have suddenly transformed into Tom and Jerry over this halal logo business. What's the deal? Don't we have more important things to discuss? The economy, education, or literally anything else besides a logo?
Enter Akmal Saleh from UMNO, who's apparently gunning for the title of politics' "bad boy." How long is he planning to play the religion and race card? The newly crown Datuk, if you want to be popular, try something else. Maybe do your job well or help the people? But no, you are busy trying to be a hero in the name of religion and race. It's 2024, Datuk akmal, not our grandparents' era.
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Kazi Mahmood
The DAP and a Haram Logo
And DAP, when will you learn? Every time you touch on issues related to Islam or Malays, things heat up faster than a satay grill. You don't need to comment on everything under the sun. You've got Muslim and Malay leaders in your ranks, let them handle these sensitive issues. Focus on other matters; there's plenty to discuss.
Whatever happened to the tolerance we've always prided ourselves on? Where's the spirit of Rukun Negara we've been reciting since primary school? Seems like it all checked out when it comes to politics.
It's almost comical. We're obsessing over a halal logo, but what about the integrity of the certification process itself? As the saying goes, "The fence is eating the crops." We expect our leaders to safeguard unity, but they're the ones creating divides.
Imagine if we introduced a "haram" logo for cigarettes. It'd be hotter than sambal belacan. Akmal and his gang might just faint from the shock.
Seriously, how long are we going to keep this up? We've been independent for 67 years, but our mindset is still stuck in the Stone Age. Other countries are planning trips to Mars, and we're here squabbling over logos.
Nasi Lemak for politicians
To all politicians: please, for the love of nasi lemak, roti canai and mee curry, grow up a bit. The rakyat are tired of your drama. If you want to be heroes, be the kind that actually helps people. Not the kind from 7 p.m. dramas that just give us headaches.
And to my fellow Malaysians, let's not follow in the footsteps of these so-called leaders. We've been independent for 67 years. It's high time we take responsibility for maintaining our unity. If we wait for our leaders, we might still be waiting after 670 years.
Let's focus on what truly matters. Arguing about logos or shirt colours won't get us anywhere. Malaysia is our shared home. Let's not fight over the paint colour while the foundation is cracking.
The logo dispute isn't just a cosmetic issue. It exposes the ideological chasm that still gapes wide between two parties supposedly united for national stability. UMNO, represented by Akmal Saleh, views the halal logo as a sensitive issue beyond questioning. DAP, on the other hand, sees it as a technical matter open for discussion.
This friction isn't just testing the people's patience; it's also challenging the resilience of the unity government coalition. Every disagreement is now seen as a potential deal-breaker, proving how fragile this cooperation really is. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim now faces the challenge of balancing various interests while trying to maintain an increasingly fading image of unity.
Send a message
The Mahkota state by-election has become more interesting to watch. It's not just a battle between candidates but an unofficial referendum on the performance of the unity government. Mahkota voters now have the opportunity to send a message about whether they still believe in this seemingly shaky 'unity' formula.
While certain parties are busy disputing the logo, more fundamental issues about the integrity of the halal certification process remain sidelined. Are we so focused on symbols that we're neglecting substance? What if the issue of 'haram' is raised, like the suggestion to put a haram logo on cigarettes? Would it spark the same controversy, or an even bigger one?
In the end, this halal logo drama is just another episode in the long-running sitcom of Malaysian politics. But unlike our favorite TV shows, this one's getting old fast. We've got real issues to tackle – the rising cost of living, education reform, healthcare improvements – you name it.
So, dear leaders, how about we shelve the logo debate and focus on what really matters? And to my fellow Malaysians, let's not get caught up in these distractions. We're better than this. We've survived 67 years of independence, countless political dramas, and even durian-flavored everything. Surely we can overcome a logo dispute.
Let's channel our energy into building the Malaysia we want to see – one where unity isn't just a slogan, but a lived reality. Where our differences are celebrated, not weaponized for political gain. Where we argue about how to make Malaysia better, not about the size and color of a logo.
Because at the end of the day, what matters isn't the logo on our products, but the values in our hearts. So, shall we get back to the real work of nation-building? The karipap is getting cold, and we've got a country to run.