By LIM SUE GOAN
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE

I have been thinking about how I should celebrate the National Day this year.

Should I sit in front of the TV set and watch the National Day parade, clean a park with my friends, paint an old folk’s home or enjoy a buka puasa feast with a few Malay friends?

I realized that a large number of photos from national news agency Bernama have been stressing on patriotism. One of them shows flags hung on a hawker stall, the others show a giant flag hung in front of a barber shop, lights that formed a design of the national flag in front of a government building, and cars decorated with flags. Also, there are some showing streets with no flag hung in front of the shops and broken national flags.

Such a mindset of too much emphasis on the national flag has become a "symbolic patriotism". Why don't they try to interview some dedicated patriots who have quietly contributed to the country?

Symbolic patriotism is a formulaic and superficial approach that could not be sublimated to the spirit of loving the country.

It makes people feel depressed as we have so many controversies and disputes before the arrival of the National Day. Many people thought that the country would turn better after the 2008 political tsunami. Unexpectedly, the situation has turned out the opposite way and it is all because of politics.

Because of politics, racial controversies emerged, people start to suspect each other and feel the loss of confidence, religion becomes more and more sensitive, and many people have forgotten that we are partners who should help each other.

This country is where we live in. We should prioritize it if we really care about it. Who would be benefited if the society is being tore apart? Where would be our shelter if the country is fragmented?

Patriotism does not refer to political propaganda, speech and show. It must be implanted in every one's heart and become a living habit and a culture for all.

We need to learn not only tolerance, but also acceptance, willingness to sacrifice and willingness to put ourselves in others' shoes. We also need to learn not to do something to others what we would not like to be done to us.

I would like to share a little story I have read online:

A politician was taking a taxi to the airport and when the taxi stopped at a traffic light, a car hit a woman riding a motorbike with her child.

The politician and taxi driver witnessed the whole process. However, the taxi driver continued driving when the light turned green.

The politician could not stand any longer and asked the driver, "Why didn't you help just now?"

The driver turned and asked the politician, "Then why didn't you go?"

Would you be like the taxi driver and the politician when the country faces difficulties? Would you just sit back and wait, or rush forward immediately to help?

Sin Chew Daily