The true Merdeka spirit
To embrace the real meaning of independence, we should promote a national discourse of unity and oneness as Malaysians, as well as intelligent and productive discussions that can spur the nation forward.
WHAT does merdeka mean?
Since we achieved independence from British rule on August 31, 1957, we have been celebrating that day as “Merdeka Day”. That was 61 years ago, and we probably should ask ourselves a few questions instead of superficially having a show of ostensible patriotism by flying the Jalur Gemilang for just a few days. False sense of pride does not help us to evolve into a better nation than the time we were colonised by a foreign power.
The British had their positive side too. They gave us systematic administration and set up the foundations for various institutions. But we wanted to be an independent nation.
Independence is the condition of a country in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over the territory.
This simply means that we wanted self-rule and the right to determine our own destiny. We wanted a government made up of our own citizens and the leaders to be elected by us. These leaders that we elect through our democratic process are so elected to serve the best interests of the citizens. The leaders are entrusted to govern with integrity, transparently, accountably and diligently. The keyword being to serve the nation and not themselves, their families or their cronies.
Hence, to be truly an independent nation, we need our elected leaders to be free from corruption. Corruption leads to stealing of scarce resources that could have been used for the benefit of the people. Corrupt leaders are oppressors of the people because the standard and quality of life of the people is being compromised greatly by their greed. How then can the people claim to be independent when they are being oppressed by their own?
We chased away our colonial masters because we did not believe that they could protect our interests. Every single citizen wants their interests to be protected, a socio political environment that allows their best talents to spring forth, and the government to be a facilitator to enable them to earn a living for themselves and their families. This requires appropriate infrastructure and independent, efficient, honest and compassionate key institutions that can protect them from injustice and oppression.
The key institutions that any civilised nation requires would include the civil service, various enforcement agencies, judiciary, legislature and so on. These institutions need to be designed to best serve the people and not make life unnecessarily difficult for them. After all, these institutions are financed by the taxes paid by the people.
There must be proper rule of law and not cosmetic. In my view, fundamental to the rule of law is the separation of powers between the three branches of government which should act as check and balance in the interest of the Nation. The judiciary, as is often quoted, is the last bastion of justice for the ordinary citizens. Men of integrity, patience, compassion, diligence and knowledge should fill up the corridors of justice.
Enforcement agencies should always remember that the powers that they have are not to intimidate the helpless citizen but to ensure law and order in a firm but also in the most compassionate way possible. They have wide discretionary powers which ought to be used to achieve the best possible outcome for the citizen, when- ever possible. I believe, in the long run, if such values are practiced, there will be a positive symbiosis between the agencies and the majority of citizens except for the recalcitrant few.
Furthermore, these institutions need to be designed with the best systems and processes that can function effectively without depending on the personalities involved. We have to move away from being personality driven to institutionally driven. For example, if a citizen wants to set up a business, he should not even have to “bow down” or curry favour with the civil servant. It should be a situation where the system facilitates the giving of licenses if the citizen is qualified. This should be the norm for every other service to the people from institutions.
I would therefore urge that on Merdeka day we should resolve to relook at the state of our key institutions and ask what we can do to improve it. The past 20 years has seen political leaders themselves making all sorts of accusations against the institutions –these are from people who have been in government before. How long more do we want to keep hearing these allegations without us taking remedial actions?
Crucially, is the people’s right to expect parliamentarians and state assemblyman respectfully and diligently doing their job as lawmakers. It is shameful and insulting to the people’s intelligence to see some of them wasting time with puerile antics, political gymnastics of the worst kind and poor or no contribution to the law making process. The law making process is serious business because it impacts the lives of ordinary citizens in diverse aspects. We want to be independent of any oppressive or unjust laws or laws that do not respect our dignity as a human being. We want laws that would facilitate our lives, not obstruct them.
Ultimately, our national narratives, policies, and national culture should be such that every citizen of whatever ethnicity or religious background is made to feel that this country is their home. We would like to see a national discourse that speaks of unity, oneness as Malaysians, sharing of each other’s sufferings, intelligent and productive discussions that can spur the nation forward.
When you feel that the country is your home that protects you and will nurture you, then you will feel the true spirit of Merdeka within you.