Dr Wan Azizah: Nation still politically, economically oppressed

August 31, 2011

Dr Wan Azizah said independence went beyond just breaking the yoke of colonial oppression. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today urged Malaysians to give meaning to what she called “total” independence by seeking freedom from political, economic, moral and social oppression.

In her National Day message, the opposition leader said that the country may have been freed from colonial British rule in 1957, but its people remained oppressed economically while its top leaders spent the nation’s money on personal interests.

“Independence does not necessarily translate as just freedom from colonial oppression. In fact, it covers all aspects of life, politics, economy, moral and society,” she said.

“Every day, we seem fated to ‘sacrifice’ and change our lifestyles to survive. But millions of ringgit are being spent without thinking of the impact on the rakyat,” she added.

The former Permatang Pauh MP called for the country to prepare an economic infrastructure that would allow the nation’s wealth to be shared without racial and religious limits, adding that such a plan would form the basis for “openness” that will pave the way forward, especially for the younger generation who stand to govern the country one day.

As a reminder, Dr Wan Azizah said her party sought to free the rakyat from economic pressures, to gain freedom in understanding and beliefs, to give the younger generation room to develop character and morals, and to ensure the burdens of education loans to undergraduates are managed well so that academic excellence can go on to restore the nation’s pride and dignity.

“Let us give true meaning to independence by freeing ourselves from the grip of oppression to build a peaceful and harmonious nation among all races,” she said.