Anwar: Merdeka not just about replacing colonialists but ridding of their ways

 

The meaning of Merdeka should not merely be about replacing colonial masters but also doing away with their ways which have persisted even after independence, said opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, in his 64th Merdeka Day address, said the country's leaders must ensure that they do not perpetuate the practice of plundering the country and oppressing the people as the colonialists did.

"Independence does not just mean replacing the British with Malaysians including the pribumi.

“The leaders may have changed but the practice must change as well - arrogance, the plundering of the country's wealth, oppression of the people, denial of freedom.

"More importantly is the just and equitable economic opportunities for everyone. This is what we should evaluate during this Merdeka celebration," he said.

Anwar said Malaysians needed to evaluate if they had truly achieved freedom.

"Whether we have produced leaders who will not plunder the country's wealth for their own interest and that of their family.

"Whether through independence, we have ensured fair economic distributions to the people, particularly farmers, fishermen, settlers and workers who were at the frontline of this struggle," he said.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in his Merdeka Day address, said the country must learn from its past experiences.

"God-willing, our problems will be resolved in due time.

"What is crucial is for us to learn from the bad events of the past so that we can reject anything that is to our detriment and return to the ways that made us successful that we were known as the Asian Tiger.

"This is our hope during this Merdeka," he said. - Mkini