Kuala Lampur, Aug. 11 -- AUG 11 - I agree with Professor Dr Phar Kim Beng.

As Malaysia prepares to celebrate August 31 and September 16, perhaps the most important political lesson for all is this: Merdeka was achieved through negotiation, Malaysia was created through negotiation, and Malaysia's future will also have to be negotiated.

Melaka would be a good place to remember it.

And remember that, as I wrote in "Let's be one united, independent Malaysians", Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day were intended to be celebrated on August 31.

Read Article II of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, better known as MA63:

"The Government of the Federation of Malaya will take such steps as may be appropriate and available to them to secure the enactment by t...