If Malaysia were a person, 68 would be the age to start telling younger folks to “listen to experience” while secretly Googling the latest slang to keep up. On 31 August 2025, the nation marks its 68th Independence Day with the usual fanfare – parades, fireworks, and a sea of Jalur Gemilang waving in unison – but with a twist: a touch of TikTok, a splash of eco-activism, and a dash of reality about the world we live in today.

The celebration glow-up

From Dataran Merdeka to rural town halls, Malaysians turn the day into a colourful blend of heritage and modern trends. Marching bands still play patriotic songs, but somewhere between the drum rolls and flag salutes, students sneak in dance moves from the latest viral challenge. City streets buzz with parades, while university campuses double as creative hubs for independence-themed art, cultural food stalls, and Instagram-worthy photo spots.

And yes, fireworks light up the night sky – because no Malaysian celebration is complete without something loud enough to make your cat rethink its life choices.

Reality check: 2025 edition

Of course, being a proud 68-year-old nation doesn’t mean the road is smooth. Inflation has been flexing its muscles, turning teh tarik from RM1.50 into a small financial decision. The job market remains a tricky maze for fresh graduates, where degrees meet “minimum experience required” like an awkward blind date.

Climate change also RSVPs to the Merdeka party without being invited. Floods, heatwaves, and unpredictable weather patterns make it clear that the environment isn’t just a backdrop for national parks and beach holidays – it’s the main stage. More communities are rallying behind recycling drives, green transport initiatives, and tree-planting projects. It’s patriotism with soil under your nails.

And let’s not forget technology. While it has brought people closer (and allowed everyone to livestream the parade in HD), it’s also given rise to cyber scams, fake news, and the age-old debate of whether watching K-dramas until 3 a.m. counts as “self-care” or “poor life choices”. The digital divide still looms, especially in rural areas, but efforts to close that gap are growing faster than your aunt’s WhatsApp chain messages.

Students: The new Merdeka vibe squad

If patriotism in the past was all about marching in perfect lines, today’s students are remixing it with creativity. Universities across Malaysia embrace the Merdeka spirit with a blend of tradition and trend. Morning flag-raising ceremonies are followed by cultural exhibitions, inter-university debates on the future of Malaysia, and online campaigns that make hashtags like #MerdekaVibes and #UnityGoals trend.

Some students even launch eco-challenges, urging their peers to reduce single-use plastics for the entire month of August. Others organise charity drives, donating school supplies to rural communities and sharing their journeys through vlog series. In short, the Merdeka spirit is alive, but it’s now wearing sneakers and carrying a reusable water bottle.

Unity: The authentic Malaysian superpower

In a country where you can have nasi lemak for breakfast, banana leaf rice for lunch, and char kway teow for dinner, diversity is a lifestyle. But maintaining unity in 2025 isn’t always effortless. Social media debates sometimes turn sour faster than milk left out in the sun. Still, the overwhelming Merdeka energy reminds everyone that our differences are our strength.

On Independence Day, people from all walks of life stand side by side, waving flags, singing the anthem, and pretending they remember all the lyrics. It is a reminder that while we may disagree on football teams, favourite street food, or whether pineapple belongs on pizza, the Jalur Gemilang belongs to all.

The modern Merdeka mindset

Independence in 2025 isn’t just about remembering history but it’s also about responding to today’s challenges with grit and humour. It’s finding ways to make eco-friendly habits trendy, turning digital skills into career opportunities, and keeping communities united in a world that sometimes feels determined to pull people apart.

It’s also about making space for fun. In between serious discussions about economic strategies and climate resilience, Malaysians know how to celebrate whether it’s belting out “Tanggal 31” at full volume or organising campus flash mobs that confuse passers-by but go viral online.

Looking ahead: Malaysia 69 and beyond

As the last firework fizzles out on the night of 31 August, Malaysia doesn’t just tick off another birthday; it sets the tone for the year ahead. The journey will involve balancing economic growth with environmental care, bridging technological gaps, and making sure unity remains more than just a Merdeka-day sentiment.

For students, the challenge is to keep patriotism active beyond the parades in their studies, innovation, and community involvement. For everyone else, it’s about staying informed, involved, and maybe even optimistic. After all, Malaysia has weathered ups, downs, and the occasional haze season; it’s pretty clear this nation has staying power.

So, here’s to Merdeka at 68 – stylish, determined, occasionally stressed, but always ready to dance through challenges. Whether it’s planting a tree, starting a small business, or just learning to recycle your bubble tea cups, every act of care counts towards building a Malaysia that’s ready for 69 and beyond.

In the end, Malaysia at 68 is like a classic song that gets remixed for every new generation. The melody is the same with unity, pride, resilience but the beat changes with the times.

And in 2025, that beat is fast, challenging, sometimes unpredictable, but always worth dancing to.

-- BERNAMA

Hairunissa Ibrahim (hairunnisa@uthm.edu.my) is a Language Teacher at the Department of English Language and Linguistics, Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.