EVERYWHERE I LOOK, I SEE MALAYSIA ประเทศมาเลเซีย สันต์วันเกิดนะครับ

Our neighbor Malaysia is celebrating their 50th Year of Independence from the British monarch. Half a century of glorious nationhood and I shout with my Malaysian brothers "MERDEKA!"

From Nasi Lemak, my favorite food to The Petronas, my favorite architectural wonder. From Teh tarik, my favorite after-clubbing drink to the beaches of Perhentian, Langkawi and Redang -- my favorite beaches! Thank you for sharing it with us.

I gotta admit...I'm a little jealous that the best of Asia is in one country --Malaya, China, India -- you guys showed us that a multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-belief society is possible.

From Vietnam to the Philippines, from Indonesia to Burma, from Brunei to Cambodia and Laos, from your neighbors to the South; Singapore to your loving neighbors to the north; THAILAND...our hats are off to you.


Malaysia is a special place on Earth.



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ONE BIG BIRTHDAY BASH

Some photos from Malaysia's Merdeka Day.

Malaysia's new King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and his wife Queen Nur Zahirah.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah and British Prince Andrew.

Our Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailandwith his wife, Princess Srirasm.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.


My personal hero and master Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Siti Hasmah.

Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur

Merdeka!

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Photos from Associated Press

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY INDONESIA! MERDEKA!สาธารณรัฐอินโดนีเซีย สันต์วันเกิดนะครับ

The world’s largest archipelago with more than 17,000 islands. The world’s largest Muslim country. One of the world’s cradles of civilization. The world’s second largest in biodiversity. They hold more world records than all of Southeast Asian countries combined.

They got the biggest economy in Southeast Asia. The only member of OPEC from Southeast Asia. They got the longest coastline, the most number of ethnic groups, the most number of volcanoes. It is said that if Indonesian volcanoes would erupt all at the same time, Earth would be in total darkness for 10 years!

They are our largest neighbor -- 235 Million strong. They got one of the world’s largest armed forces and the most powerful in Southeast Asia. It is said that if they would want to invade the whole of Southeast Asia…they can easily do it in 3 days! *but of course, they won't do that*

Our silent but MIGHTY neighbor is celebrating their 62nd Independence from the Dutch monarch today.


Merdeka to our brothers in Indonesia!




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