Quora Answer: Should Singaporeans Celebrate Malaysia Day Considering Singapore was Once Part of Malaysia?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Should Singaporeans celebrate Malaysia Day, considering that Singapore was part of Malaysia from 16th September 1963 to 09th August 1965?”

We have to consider what exactly is there to celebrate?  Whilst it is important to acknowledge that significant things happened on specific dates, they are not all reasons to celebrate.  Your divorce could be a significant date in your life.  That does not mean you celebrate it two decades later.  You may have been valedictorian.  But if you are still commemorating it well into your middle age, that is very sad.

Singapore officially gained independence from Malaysia on the 09^th August 1965.  That was the birth of our nation as an independent, sovereign entity, able to determine its own fate within the rubric of international relations.  We succeeded and thrived against great odds.  We surpassed Malaysia, and left it behind.

Malaysia is a distinct sovereign entity.  They have their own path.  Their achievements are not our achievements.  Their challenges are not necessarily our challenges.  We have a shared origin.  We have common elements of culture.  But we are not the same country.  We have moved on.  But it is important to remember the lessons learned.