TRUE and meaningful independence for our country demands leaders who are honest, sincere and committed to doing what is necessary for Malaysians.
Independence cannot be reduced to empty slogans or contradictory stances on fighting corruption.
While political opponents of the government are hounded and arrested, corporate elites and friends of the regime are spared. This double standard erodes the very essence of freedom.
The resilience of Malaysians lies in their desire to enjoy the fruits of independence and share them with others. If the country has managed to avoid major ethnic and religious strife, credit must be accorded to the people – not the leaders.
How can independence be safeguarded if leaders say one thing to the world and another to their domestic audience?
How can Malaysia serve as an example of multi-racialism and diversity when its leaders constantly oscillate between unity and Malay hegemony? How can the nation prosper if communities are pitted against each other merely to secure the power of those at the top?
Independence also means truth in governance. Leaders must not exaggerate foreign investment figures to secure political legitimacy nor deny the scale of the nation’s foreign debt.
Rid divisive politics
Minority communities must not be deprived of their rights under the pretext of protecting the majority.
True independence requires ending the cancer of ethnic and religious enmity. Laws must serve the common good, not the narrow interests of certain groups.
Independence must put the nation on a trajectory of reducing ethnic and religious politics. Unfortunately, such politics remain rampant because leaders lack the will to embrace a shared vision that transcends race and religion.
How can independence be meaningful if leaders themselves are unwilling or unable to rise above divisive politics? It is not for such leaders to lecture Malaysians about the meaning of independence. They are hardly role models to be proud of.
Malaysia attained independence on Aug 31, 1957 without bloodshed. Yet, even after throwing off colonial and imperial domination, the challenge of overcoming neocolonialism – in its political, economic and cultural forms – remains formidable.
True independence means honesty, unity and justice. Without these, the word merdeka rings hollow.
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.
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