Between Sky and Cardboard

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the rakyat unseen in 1Malaysia ads, the migrant workers who never get a day off, and the stateless kids in hiding

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the bumiputera who yearn for minimum wage, and the OKUs trying to just get up on the kerb

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the refugees detained for fleeing persecution, and the domestic workers detained for fleeing abuse

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the kidnapped fishermen, the death row inmates, and the caged schizophrenics

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the tired pro bono lawyers, and the defendants haunted by colonial laws they were promised would go

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the students who demand their place on the streets, and the teachers who urge them to think for themselves

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the filmmakers, writers and artists who reflect the country they see instead of the one they’re told to

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the child brides, the trans sex workers, and those who sleep sandwiched between sky and cardboard

Selamat Hari Malaysia to those whose faith or lack thereof is not allowed to stay between them and God

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the scapegoats, the political footballs, and the folks not important enough to even make either category

Selamat Hari Malaysia to those who shine a light on injustice, knowing it to be worse than bad PR

Selamat Hari Malaysia to the glimmers of hope. If anything is to be celebrated today, celebrate the kind.