POPULAR singer Ziana Zain, 55, has said that the most important form of Merdeka is to be independent of social ills, especially sexism, racism and all forms of bigotry.
"We have been independent for 66 years as a nation, yet so many of us still possess prejudices, be it against a certain state, ethnic group, region, faith community or a person's physical appearance and style of dressing," Ziana said in her recent Merdeka and Malaysia Day message to fans.
Ziana added that bigotry was "slavery" and bigoted people had to break free from prejudices built up since the days of colonial rule.
"We are only truly independent if we shed all those prejudices and learn from each other and accept each other as fellow members of Bangsa Malaysia or Keluarga Malaysia."
She also advised Malaysians that while we can be humorous with friends and colleagues, it is always best to avoid cracking jokes that poke fun of any one group of Malaysians.
"Even in films and dramas, producers should make sure not to portray any one community in a negative light, for it is not the Malaysian way to humiliate others."
Ziana said that she had always instilled in her children the need to identify themselves as Malaysians first.
She also encouraged them to make friends with youngsters of all races, all religions and all states, and to learn about their customs, culture and even food.
"If we get our children to make friends with all Malaysians, they will grow up to be true Malaysians without prejudice."
Being Merdeka also meant being free of negative thoughts about the nation's future and always looking at the bright side of things, not matter how gloomy things seem in the present.
"Positive thinking works, the more we think positively, the better we feel psychologically," she said.
"As popular singer NJWA once sang, After The Rain Comes The Sun."
Ziana added that being free from illness, by eating right and keeping healthy was also a meaningful Merdeka.
"On my part, I sought medical treatment for a nagging ailment affecting my digestive system last year," she said.
From 2018 to 2022, Ziana had been suffering from frequent "tummy trouble" and breathlessness.
However, assistance from a reputable bariatric and gastroenterologist surgeon ended her discomfort.
Ziana underwent bariatric surgery courtesy of Malaysian-based Iraqi medical practitioner Dr Mustafa Mohamed Taher.
She said that following an examination she learnt that her bile duct had weakened, resulting in chronic gastritis.
"Thank God, with the help of Dr Mustafa, I was able to rectify this longtime discomfort which had given me breathlessness and sleeping difficulty, and also affected my daily routine," Ziana said, adding that she first thought that she was suffering from heart problems.
Ziana initially thought that bariatric surgery was aimed at reducing one's weight, but Dr Mustafa told her that it was also good for battling gastritis and health problems related to cholesterol and diabetes.
Besides Ziana, Dr Mustafa has also treated veteran singer Datuk Wan Aishah Wan Ariffin, who underwent bariatric surgery in 2018, in a move to reduce her weight.
He has also treated veteran singer Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim, veteran actress and drama producer Datuk Ziela Jalil and veteran actress Zarina Zainuddin for the same illness.