In just a few days’ time, Malaysia will commemorate 68 years of history as an independent nation. Every year, Merdeka Day is a reminder to us of the price of freedom and of the cultural richness of a nation made up of many peoples, made all the more poignant through the kinship we share with one another. We have more than half a century of shared history with many milestones and much to celebrate. And yet, sometimes, the tension and divide are still very much felt, indicating that unity is always a work in progress. There is a purpose to the commemoration of a nationally-relevant celebration such as Merdeka Day. For Malaysian Christians, it is a day for us to consider deeply the true meaning of liberty and what it means to be a follower of Christ here, in this nation of diversity and complexity, and yet also of great promise.
A Faith Rooted in Malaysia’s Story
We are very much interwoven into the fabric of our communities. Christianity has been part of Malaysia’s story for centuries. From the mission schools and hospitals that still shape society, to the quiet contributions of churches and individuals, our faith has found a home in this land. Many Malaysians, whether Christian or not, trace their education back to schools begun by missionaries. Hospitals with Christian roots have ministered and cared for the sick and needy for generations. Churches, both large and small, have stood out as landmarks of love and courage in villages, towns, and cities.
As our nation prepares to celebrate Merdeka, it is also worth remembering that our mission schools played no small role in shaping the leaders who carried Malaysia into independence. Some have rightly pointed out that it was the moral foundation of such schools that prepared our country for that defining moment in history. Within their classrooms and corridors, values of discipline, service, character and integrity were nurtured and imbued. Through them, many of our nation’s leaders, professionals, and community builders received not only an education, but also the strength of characters that equipped them to serve the country well.
Today, Christians form just about 9% of the Malaysian total population, scattered across denominations, culture, and geography. Many have remarked that there is a noticeable difference in the Christian presence in East and West Malaysia. In Sabah and Sarawak, the faith is vibrant and infused in the rhythms of everyday life, influencing festivals, family, and community leadership. In Peninsular Malaysia, Christians are a bit more segregated. For us in Peninsular Malaysia, we may view with yearning and longing (and sometimes envy) the vibrancy of the faith in East Malaysia, yet we all have the same call to be faithful in word and deed.
Whether we are in East or West Malaysia, the Christian story has throughout the years been one of perseverance, service, and hope. This is our heritage, though we may be a minority. Our population has never been large but we have a great capacity for positive impact on the land. May we never lose the courage, strength, and wisdom to keep pressing on.
The Opportunity (and Tension) of Faith
Because we are so diverse as Malaysians, to be Christian here is to live with both opportunity and tension. We have the chance to embody Christ’s love in a nation that prizes harmony, and yet where sensitivities are real. The multitude of people groups means that there is a vitalness in learning to witness wisely, to hold truth and respect together in a constructive and positive way – for the progress of one is inseparable from the progress of all and no man is an island.
Despite the pressures, our act of witnessing does not have to be radical or showy. It is seen quietly through our integrity at work, in our kindness to neighbors, through honesty in the way we conduct our businesses, and in quiet faithfulness that does not fade with circumstances or time. Christians may not always have the loudest voice in the public square, but our presence can be felt in small, steady ways. It is a challenge, yet when lived well, the Gospel becomes visible not just in churches, but in classrooms, offices, homes, and marketplaces through the lives that we live.
Freedom That Goes Beyond Independence
Upon reflection, we realise that Merdeka itself offers a parallel. The fight for our political freedom was hard-won, and it was won through the collective unity of the people of Malaya, and soon after, of the people of Sabah and Sarawak. Our political freedom is precious. Yet freedom in Christ runs even deeper still and it was equally not easily won – it took an immense sacrifice on the part of Christ at Calvary. How do we recognise our dual freedoms in Christ and in our nation? The Gospel reminds us that true liberty – whether it is earthly or divine – is lived out when we answer the call to serve in love. As Paul writes in Galatians 5:13, “Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
For us as Malaysian Christians, this means viewing Merdeka not only as a celebration of independence, but as an invitation to consider how our faith and freedom can be lived out together with others in this nation of many faiths. We are called to love others in as much as we love God and to be witnesses of Christ’s love in our neighborhoods. Our freedom shines brightest when it brings good to our neighbors, contributes to the flourishing of our communities, and helps shape a nation marked by character, integrity, compassion and love. In a world where divisions and self-interests often tug at us, Christians are reminded that our freedom is never just for ourselves. We have the freedom to heal and to build bridges with others for the collective good of our nation.
Quiet Courage in Daily Life
As mentioned before, there are challenges. Living as a minority faith comes with vulnerabilities. Misunderstandings can arise, and certain conversations cannot always be held openly. Yet, courage is often quiet. It is the courage to remain steadfast in prayer, even when answers seem slow. The courage to keep loving across divides, even when walls are high. The courage to hope for renewal, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.
This courage does not make headlines, but it shapes lives. It is found in parents who pass on their faith to their children, in pastors who faithfully shepherd small congregations, in youth who dare to stand for what is right, and in communities that keep choosing grace over resentment. These ordinary acts of courage are the threads that keep the fabric of our faith alive. For many, these quiet acts may be the only Bible they will ever read.
Being Salt and Light for the Nation
Being Christians – and being salt and light; the calling Jesus Christ gave us to embrace – involves discipleship. We often think of discipleship as a churchy thing, yet it encompasses a much larger scope beyond the four walls of a church. In Malaysia, that calling might mean preserving unity where it frays, or offering hope where discouragement grows. It might mean being a voice of integrity when integrity is tested, or offering compassion when society overlooks the vulnerable. The struggles we see with suicide, mental health, and corruption remind us that many Malaysians are deeply in need of hope.
The calling of being a disciple of Christ takes many shapes. It is seen in NGOs, street ministries, and churches that run soup kitchens and homes for orphans, the elderly, marginalised, and refugees. It is seen in hospital missions, and in neighbors who reach across community lines to care for one another. It is also seen in students who walk in integrity, even when shortcuts tempt them, and in business professionals who refuse to compromise on ethics. It can feel tiring, isolating at times, and in the words of a friend, often like a firefly shining a small light in darkness. Yet together these lights shine brightly – just as the early church once did, small and fragile against the might of the Roman legions, but unshaken because they carried the blessed assurance of Jesus Christ.
Gratitude and Hope at Merdeka
This Merdeka, as the Jalur Gemilang flies high, Christians give thanks: for peace, for freedom, for the gift of calling this land home. We remember that Malaysia is not perfect, but it is precious. We look back on the journey of 68 years with gratitude, and we look forward with hope. Malaysia still has much room to grow but we have the capacity to do so.
At the same time, we as Christians lift a prayer – for our leaders to lead with wisdom and courage, for communities that stand for what is right, for neighbors to flourish in unity, for a nation marked by justice and compassion, and for Christians who are firmly grounded in the Word, guided by Christ through the Holy Spirit. As Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites, even while they were in the more challenging environment of exile: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city (nation)… pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7).
To be Malaysian and Christian is to live between gratitude and hope. Gratitude for a nation that has carried us this far, and hope for what it can yet become, with the perseverance to keep pressing on. On this Merdeka, may our faith deepen, our love widen, and our prayers rise – for the good of Malaysia and for the glory of God!
The writer of this reflection is grateful to Elder Steven Fung for his valuable guidance and for the insights he has shared, some of which are woven into the piece.
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