The iconic skyscrapers of Malaysia. On the far left, we have the KL Tower, rising 421m above sea level. On your right, it's none other than the once tallest high-rise in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers.

I love Malaysia in a truly non-jingoistic way. I don't care what they say about me; I'm definitely not the kind of person who lists "48 Ways To Die Gloriously For My Country" and religiously rereads the list every morning to make sure I do die strictly according to one of those 48 ways when the time comes.

I love Malaysia for all the right reasons. I love, in particular, the weather (it may be a tad too sunny here but I like it hot, if you get what I mean), the islands (I've a roadmap to retiring on one someday), and the food (good food doesn't set you back the equivalent amount, purchasing power parity adjusted, of buying yourself at least one season worth of pirated Battlestar Galactica DVDs).

I love Malaysia like I would love my wife. I foresee that my better half would have lofty ambitions about going to space after watching one too many episodes of Battlestar Galactica. She would dig into our savings and despite my hating flying, she would drag me along aboard one of those Virgin Galactic spaceships. Even so, I would love her all the same.

I love Malaysia. Especially so today as this land celebrates her 48th birthday (it's only appropriate that you reaffirm your allegiance on birthdays). Happy merdeka day to fellow Malaysians.