I was four when Malaya got its independence from the British. I was 10 when Malaysia was formed. Two years later, when Singapore left Malaysia, I was 12.

Too many things happened in those eight years. A nation was born, a Federation came into being, and in 1963 an ambitious experiment at federalism failed spectacularly.

Singapore had nothing, perhaps only a vision of nationhood and a feverish desire to be better than the entity it audaciously ejected from. Yet it became a first world nation while we are still somewhere in the upper bracket of a third world realm.

Nothing to be ashamed of, really. We are different and complex, is the standard excuse.

We are a nation of a melting pot of peoples, cultures and religions. Sensitivities have to be taken into account. The Constitution is sacrosanct as guidance to our policies. And so on and so forth.

I am one of those anak-anak Merdeka (children of Independence). The last 70 years I have seen it all – a fledgling nation trying to make its mark, the cost of inequality, the economic successes and failures, the changing dynamics of society, the incursion of religion in everyday life, identity contestation in terms of race, just name it.

I have seen poverty, experienced it first hand, and understand what “backwardness” means to people. We have achieved a lot, but faltered just as much.

Yet, 67 years down the road, we are still talking about being at the crossroads and managing differences.

Diversity is not strengthening us. In fact, we are more divided not just politically but racially and culturally now than ever.

We know that inflammatory rhetoric polarises and is dangerous. But some politicians choose to do that unashamedly.

As we are chugging along there are voices of discontent across the South China Sea.

Sarawakians and Sabahans have made their voices heard for the need of real partnerships with Malaya. They are talking about their rights and dignity.

Federalism is again being questioned. After years of neglect in respecting their wishes and aspirations and how the M63 should be treated, it is time to speak up.

One can’t entirely blame them for that.

Diversity is not strengthening us. In fact, we are more divided not just politically but racially and culturally now than ever.

Malaysia is all about Malaysians. It is not about numbers or statistics.

We are the People. We decide on the government that we want and the representatives to represent us.

Yes, we voted in some weird people, fervent racists and religious extremists. The race card will win votes and religious fervour is a sure-fire formula to get elected. But at what cost?

Thankfully we choose sensible ones too. That is politics.

We don’t always get the best. Democracy is a double-edged sword.

This is the 67th year of our independence from the British and Malaysia is 61 years old now.

We are perhaps the only country in the world that celebrates two national-day events. We must celebrate Merdeka on 31st of August and we can’t ignore the formation of Malaysia on 16th of September.

Too many feelings will be hurt if we decide on one, unless of course we find a date to be named Hari Kebangsaan (National Day).

After all, we must prove ourselves to be Malaysians, first and last.

A date to remind ourselves the spirit of Merdeka and at the same time to reaffirm our Malaysian-ness.

We need to forge ahead, to be successful, prosperous, moderate and to be in the league of first world nations as Malaysians. And more importantly to remind ourselves that with petty squabbles we will never get anywhere. The world is moving.

I am envious of the Indonesians. There are 270 million of them. We can learn one or two things about nationhood from them.

What does it mean to be Indonesians? Symbolism matters to them as totem poles of patriotism. A banner “Bhinneka Tuggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity) held in eagle’s talons. The almost sacred Pancasila, the Indonesian state philosophy formulated by its first president, Sukarno. Things like that.

They started poor as a nation but they built a negara bangsa (nation state) without sacrificing their root, tradition and identity.

Sukarno also made it known the spirit of oneness covering more than 100,000 islands and a length of almost 6,000 kilometres from Sabang Island in North Sumatra to Merauke in Papua.

We recognise Indonesians when we hear them speak. Language is more than communication; it is about national identity.

Indonesian patriotism is unique. Unlike us, they don’t need to campaign to raise their flags – Sang Saka Merah Putih – on Independence Day.

We should also look to East Malaysia for unity and tolerance – Sabah and Sarawak.

While race and religion are redefining national politics for far too long in the Peninsula, Sabahans and Sarawakians remained steadfast in embracing differences. They have been living beyond racial and religious imperatives for generations.

The first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman famously said, “We are all Malaysians. This is the bond that unites us. Let us remember that unity is our fundamental strength as a people and a nation.”

Frankly my generation have seen better days.

Selamat Hari Malaysia!

(Johan Jaaffar is National Journalism Laureate. For some years he was chairman of a media company. The views expressed here are entirely his own.)