My Opinion on the National Anthem Parody

I recently chatted with Elly. Now it's not often that we bump into each other, because though we both study Physics, our areas of specialization are slightly different.

We were talking about our nation's fast arriving 50th anniversary of independence, and naturally, the subject of 'that YouTube video' cropped up.

"Oh, I've heard about it but I haven't watched it. What is it about?" she asked earnestly.

I pondered my reply. I felt lost for words when I recalled the blatantly disrespectful lyrics of the video.

I pondered my reply. Here was Elly, a Malay -- one of the many Malay, Indian, Chinese and "lain-lain" friends of mine that play so integral a part in my campus life.

It is embarrassing that the songwriter chose to be insensitive to the multicultural strength of Malaysia, and it is even more shameful that so many viewers chose to cheer him on, as he shot one after another unsupported accusation against the Government, infused them with teenage angst and confused them with religion.

And here was Elly. A Malaysian, just like me; two individuals trying their best to beat their respective paths in the world. Both working equally hard -- or perhaps, in all probability, she works harder than me, for her dreams are much larger than mine -- in hopes for a credible future.

"So what is it about?" she asked.

"Uh..."

I pondered my reply, and summed it up simply, "Just some silly lyrics."