31/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 31, 2025 theSunday Special III

Isabelle Yusoff is a school student who models in her free time. At just 17, she has fallen in love with fashion. It is getting serious because she has been incorporating it into her everyday life in the way that she dresses, posting on social media and presenting herself to the world in general. Like many Gen Zs, Isabelle is active on social media. “I’ve already thought of a trend for this Merdeka Day. It will be called #My MalaysiaStory, where everyone shares a photo, video, or short caption about what Malaysia means to them personally. From food stalls and sunsets to fam ily traditions and mixed languages, we should celebrate the authentic Malaysian experience in its truest form,” she said. For many young people today, Merde ka goes beyond historical independence. It represents emotional, creative and cultural freedom – the right to speak up, GUHDP EROGO\ DQG UHGH¿QH WKHLU LGHQWLW\ without losing their roots. Isabelle wants to love the country while also challenging it to do better for everyone. “With the rise of technology, patriotism has become more dynamic. We’re no longer limited to physical gatherings or textbooks. Now we create memes, songs, digital art and even online activism. The youth can participate in shaping national

conversations in real time. Patriotism today isn’t confined to parades and speeches.” For writer and poet Amanda Angela Danker, Merdeka means freedom for all. Civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer once said, “Nobody’s free until every body’s free.” The youths are blessed with the freedom of time and hard-earned independence from our ancestors. “ ,W LV QRZ RXU WXUQ WR ¿JKW IRU DOO WR experience our own Merdeka ,” said Amanda. She always expresses her love for the country through her writing. Whether it LV D VWDJH SOD\ RU D SRHP VKH ¿QGV KHUVHOI drifting towards stories that involve Malaysia in its own way. Amanda, too, agrees that technol ogy and social media have shifted the landscape of patriotism and how it is expressed. There has been a greater push for patriotic campaigns via social media platforms as opposed to physical posters around town or marches in the street. “I think appreciating what we love about Malaysia, while also talking about what could be improved, should be the trend. Love for our country should include both gratitude and constructive criticism and I believe that as Malaysians, we should be able to do that,” Amanda said proudly.

Selamat Hari Merdeka to all! I love our country and want nothing more than for it to thrive and grow and adapt. The world is shifting, let’s move with it together!”

Amanda

Selamat Hari Merdeka! May we never forget the strength in our differences and the power of unity. Here’s to a Malaysia

that continues to grow, reflect and rise. Digitally and beyond!”

Isabelle

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