Hari Rakyat
Nov 12th, 2007 by Tian
11 November 1955, Partai Rakyat Malaya (PRM) was founded. Most of its leaders were from the Partai Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), which had been banned by the British colonial power. PRM’s first President was Ahmad Boestaman. The party inherited the radical nationalist struggle started prior to WW2.
For more than five decades, PRM suffered wave after wave of repression while fighting for the liberation of our nation. From the onset the party faced crackdown by the British because of its struggle for “Merdeka”.
PRM and other leftist movements were courageous enough to demand total independence. On the other hand, conservative Umno was reluctant to call for “Merdeka”. The reasons being: firstly, there was a lack of confidence in Malays’ ability to self-rule. Secondly, and perhaps more real, Umno leaders were wary of Indonesia’s anti-Imperialist agenda.
Umno was more comfortable with a strong tie with the Western camp. After the departure of the British, Umno government continued to suppress all leftist forces in the country in order to protect the colonial legacy.
PRM on the other, struggled for a united nationhood in which all people identified with this country as their homeland should be treated equal.
In 2004, 3 August Parti Keadilan Nasional and Parti Rakyat merged, hence the new name Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
In short, Parti Keadilan Rakyat inherited the tradition of struggle for genuine independence and non-racial politics. This noble objective is still far from being materialized. It is now our responsibility to take up the torch that passed on from Ahmad Boestaman, Dr. Burhanuddin, Pak Sako, etc.
The assembly of the 100 thousand people was indeed most appropriate celebration for Hari Rakyat. In fact, BERSIH Steering Committee planned to hold the assembly on 11 November (though not because of Hari Rakyat). However for technical consideration, the date had been shifted a day earlier.
In an unequivocal voice, the Rakyat have spoken: it’s time for change. Unfortunately, leaders of the repressive regime are still deep in their sleep. They are still talking like the old dictators and autocrats. I am sure that they are not blinded to the number of people gathered on the last Saturday afternoon. Nonetheless, it seems that they are deaf to the loud calls for democratic reforms.
Hidup Rakyat! Hidup Rakyat! Hidup Rakyat!
I don’t want to be called RAKYAT because the word RAKYAT connotes “hamba”, “the low class citizen” etc. In this modern world, nation is like a big cooperative. Me, Abdullah Badawi & Tengku Mizan has the equal rights under the Malaysian sovereign law. It is just that each one of us has different role to play.
The etymology of the word “people” in English too carries the meaning of “subject” or “common folks” in oppose to nobility. Indeed Rakyat or “Ra’iyya” has the same original meaning. However, Rakyat in Malay/Indonesian language has become a powerful term. It evolved the same way as the word “people”: a term we can claim proudly. (Linguistics is one of my favorite topic, I might blog about the word “Rakyat” in the coming posting). Thanks.