Generosity in Motion 🇲🇾

August comes rolling in with patriotism in the air! 

National day songs are aired on local radio stations as red, white, yellow, and blue hues occupy public spaces. Our wish list grows with anticipation of the long awaited annual sale that’s scheduled to take place on the 31st day of the month.

Underneath these layers of festivities, we find ourselves asking: What actually comes to mind when you think of Malaysia? Food, a prevalent answer among the locals. While we cannot deny the prominence of our mouthwatering local delicacies (especially a fragrant plate of Nasi Lemak served with a generous amount of sambal on a cold day!), the past year and a half made us realise something else that makes us truly Malaysian.

But before we dive deep into our thoughts, we want to ask you - What do you think makes us Malaysian?

Our answer is really simple and we’ve seen it with our own eyes time after time. It is in the values we keep, as a person and as a society. These values are what drives our nation forward - making tomorrow a little better and a little brighter. Let’s take a closer look at what we believe these values are!
 

Generosity 

It’s no lie that Malaysians are some of the most generous people on the planet! They don’t hesitate to help one another, especially in times of need. We’ve seen it in full force in the #KitaJagaKita initiatives. Individuals, families, communities, even local businesses (who were also struggling from the pandemic) came together to help those in need. Many Malaysians also came together online to raise funds for care packages, ensuring that no one gets left behind at the height of the pandemic. 

As the lockdowns extended, so did the extent of our care. The Bendera Putih initiative was introduced. People who were struggling financially were encouraged to raise a white flag in front of their homes, and aid came pouring in from neighbours, near and far! Small businesses and communities then came together to build food banks with daily necessities that were free for those who needed them - No questions asked!
 

Humour

What is life without laughter? Even when the going gets tough, Malaysians are never short on good humour or a witty remark. As we continued to stay home for months, Malaysians united over the the Internet, sharing memes and relatable reactions to the unending lockdown announcements and parliamentary turmoil. Though times are dark, Malaysians found solidarity in laughter.

Our local comedians then took the Internet by storm with parodies and hilarious commentaries on current issues, reminding us that we’re not alone in how we feel. In fact, our sense of humour dates back even before the pandemic! Just like how we collectively believe that the iconic Perodua Myvi has a secret built-in flying function. Even Myvi drivers are in on the joke and would playfully tell you so!

Diversity through Action

Malaysia is home to a melting pot of ideas, dreams, and innovations. All these stem from our diverse upbringing! We are so blessed to have been brought up in a multicultural society, where we are exposed to various beliefs, practices and ways of living. But ideas are meaningless without action. 

Time and time again, Malaysians prove how truly remarkable they are by coming together and using their collective knowledge to build things. From towering skyscrapers that dot the skyline to state-of-the-art vehicles (some say can fly also!) to simple web applications, like www.kitajaga.co, that mobilises help in a pandemic. Our nation is where we are today because of all these brilliant individuals who came together to take action. 

Do you think it is true? We’d love to hear your thoughts on what makes us truly Malaysian!

Inspired by the timeless tales of Malaysian values, we’ve captured the essence of what we believe makes Malaysia the nation we know and love today in this year’s Merdeka artwork entitled Generosity in Motion. We’ve even included some hidden surprises in the artwork, can you spot them? 

Stay inspired this Merdeka with our limited edition Generosity in Motion series! Available in a bundle and individually. 

Generosity in Motion Premium Collection

What’s inside?
Take a peek here!
Premium Collection

1. Customisable Touch ‘N Go Card
2. Malaysia Prihatin Sticker Sheet 
3. TT19 Generosity in Motion Tote Bag
4. CP18 Generosity in Motion Pouch
5. Generosity in Motion Collectible Postcard Set (4 in 1)
6. M24 Generosity in Motion Mug

Our 64th Merdeka series is now available for sale on our website!
Click here to browse the full collection.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned, being Malaysian is more than just having superb taste buds (hehe). It’s also having these wonderful values ingrained in us from young and to always look out for one another. As the saying goes, “berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing” which translates to sharing our fortunes and burdens together - to always help each other! 

To progress as a nation is to take collective action together! And we’re where we are today as a result of a collection of actions from those who came before us and those who are still working with us towards a better Malaysia. May we never forget that Malaysia is a home that we are constantly building together. Selamat Hari Merdeka!