60 years old today! Happy Birthday Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur has been preparing for weeks. Flags are flying, buildings, even unfinished ones, are bedecked with the national emblem.  A few weeks ago we happened upon police and army bands practising for today’s performance. I went to the bank and they gave me a Merdeka (Independence) biscuit. Every morning at 10 30 for the past few days I’ve been thrilled by a practice fly past by Air Force jets, which I could see from my bedroom window. Wow. And then there were the incredible fireworks at midnight last night…

More than 11,500 citizens young and old came together in performances and parades. Malaysia, like many nations, faces challenges as it moves  towards the future, from global economic and geopolitical insecurities to more internally focussed corruption scandals and conundrums of ethic politics. But today was definitely a day for reaffirming the theme of this year’s celebrations: Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa – My Country, One Heart, One Soul.