POEMS ON INDEPENDENCE Composed by Bioprocess Harbant A CHILDS DREAM MERDEKA in my dream Right or wrong, true or false, May be I am wrong,

I saw Merdeka in my dream. I saw birds flying and singing in the air, I saw clouds shadowing the sky, I saw the sunrise brightening the day, I saw people dancing and merry-making, I saw an atmosphere of peace surrounding me, I saw Malaysia as a developed nation. I wish my dream is true, Or, I keep my dream in my lonely heart Be there as my sweet memory.

MALAYSIA LAND OF GLORY Oh Malaysia, land of glory and sunshine, I greet thee with salutation. Your mountains, valleys and forest Remind me of the beauty of Nature Your people show love, joy and progress, They form a mosaic of different cultures. Your children reflect the moon and stars of tomorrow That will take the country to greater heights. Your development in science, education, commerce, and technology Brings pride to all. Indeed you are great Oh Malaysia A land of peace, prosperity, and glory, I humbly bow before thee.

THIS IS THE DAY This is the day we celebrate our independence. This is the day we stand up high in pride. This is the day we fly our flag of freedom from east to west, That brings courage, liberty, purity, perseverence, and justice to our minds. This is the day we remember those who fought for independence Without shedding a drop of blood. This is day we pray for the prosperity and progress of the Nation This is the day we tell the world That we live in peace, harmony, and brotherhood.

A PIECE OF PAPER I took a piece of paper It was white.. White reflecting the purity Deep within our hearts, The heart of each and every Malaysian In one corner, I drew a rectangle And then, I coloured it blue Cause blue symbolises dignity And it was with dignity that Malaysia broke away From the clutches of colonialism Next, in the rectangle, I included a new moon A crescent representing the National religion, Islam And also to signify light and hope Light for all Malaysians, whatever colour or creed Hope that peace and harmony may forever prevail. Beside the crescent is a star A star with fourteen points Representing the different states, their people Converging in the middle Reflecting the bond, the unity in our nation The crescent and the star are coloured yellow Yellow the colour of royalty Pledging my unfailing loyalty to King and country The symbol of the sovereignty of this my homeland, the land that I live in and love Finally, I added the horizontal stripes Again, fourteen for the fourteen states I painted seven of them red And left the other seven white Different, divergent but united we stand, side by side. Red is the colour of love The love I have for my country The love I have for my fellowmen Together let us stand hand in hand

United and strong, as one people, one nation, one Malaysia.

An Olympic Independence For the farmers in the paddy fields Toiling under the burning Sun, You are the Olympians, For the constables doing your duty With no thoughts of bribery, You are the Olympians, For the mothers bringing up Your children with no husbands, You are the Olympians, For the salaried men commuting 3 hours a day to feed your family, You are the Olympians, For the leaders trying to make a change In a political party diseased with hubris. You are the Olympians, For the inspiring teachers Working on a paltry salary, You are the Olympians, For the civil servants who burn The midnight oil while others leave early, You are the Olympians, For those who stand for what is right And honour the old ways and traditions, You are the Olympians, For those who fight each day to Protect our sovereignty, You are the Olympians, For those, right or wrong, left or right, Who says, This country deserves better!

You are the Olympians, For the Sultans of Adab, For the Masters of Servanthood, You are the Olympians.