BY SELANGORKINI ENGLISH EDITORIAL TEAM
Freedom can be complicated. It is an undeniable right everyone thinks we have, yet few truly understand what it means.
Freedom can be such a vague concept that we tend to disregard it when we have it, but only realise how precious it is after we have lost it.
For Malaysians, our freedom is contained in our rights that are enshrined in the Federal Constitution. These include the freedom of speech, assembly and association, along with freedom of religion.
But throughout our 59 years as a nation we have experienced many instances where our rights have been trampled upon, denied and ignored. It is undeniable that the frequency in which that happens has increased within the last decade in tandem with the rise of the Reformasi movement.
No doubt we are free but is Malaysia free in the context of a so-called democratic nation?
Malaysia’s federal government, so used to ruling unfettered, has become aloof and arrogant, with many federal leaders imagining themselves as all-powerful masters, forgetting that they are mere public servants elected to carry out their responsibilities with integrity in the best interest of the rakyat. However, we are often reminded to be grateful for policies and initiatives that are basically what a government should provide for its people.
Criticism is frowned upon, and hindered where possible by the imposition of limits upon our freedom to voice our concern or displeasure. Sedition is now a word that is bandied about so easily that lines have been blurred. Demand accountability and transparency from our elected officials and you run the risk of being investigated under a sedition charge.
But in the darkness, there is light. Others have risen up and spoken out, and Malaysians have rallied around them. The political tsunami of 2008, followed by the recent general elections in 2013, have shown the federal government that Malaysians still value their freedom. And more importantly, Malaysians are willing to fight for it.
Many political leaders have been targeted openly and made to pay the price for educating Malaysians on their freedom to choose a government that is just and fair. Censorship of criticism has turned into suppression of expression.
However, as Dato’ Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali pointed out at the recent assembly of civil servants in Selangor, patriotism is not exploitation de l’homme par l’homme – the exploitation of man by man. This he says is the new colonisation and we need to hold on to the constitutional principles enshrined in Tunku Abdul Rahman’s Proclamation of Independence made on August 31, 1957 and not kleptocracy.
True patriotism demands that we do what is right for the people by not supporting corruption, embezzlement and the blatant misuse of power.
Our commitment this Merdeka as a nation should be to ensure that we continue to be patriots despite the suppression and fight for a government that is fair, practices the distribution of justice and uses values-based politics to ensure a harmonious society.
With one heart and one soul, we Malaysians will defend the sovereignty of our nation and its democratic institutions from being destroyed by elements that have scant regard for the Proclamation of Independence.
Malaysians will live free and no one can take our right for a just government away from us.
Happy Merdeka Day!
59 years of Merdeka and we will be free
