What is Merdeka without free and fair elections?

As we draw near to Merdeka Day, I begin to reflect on the real meaning of Merdeka. We may have gained independence from the British in 1957 but have we gained true freedom from our colonial masters?

Have we grown as a nation united with one common goal or vision? Or have we become more disunited since 1957, having lost our direction as to where we are heading to as an independent nation.

Despite 54 years of independence, are we really free when we have oppressive laws in place, such as the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Emergency Ordinance and The University and University Colleges Act (UUCA)?

For me, the real meaning of Merdeka is achieved when we have freedom to determine our destiny through a free and fair electoral system. As a young Malaysian, I realise the importance of being an agent of change, not because we want change for the sake of change, but because we want real change that will transform this nation to be an Asian tiger once again.

Many took part in the Bersih 2.0 rally because they know how unjust the Malaysian electoral system is. On July 9, Malaysians braved tear gas and water cannons because of their strong desire to see real change for a better Malaysia.

These are the true present generation of Merdeka warriors in the 21st century. It is simply incomprehensible that as a nation, we still have to rely on archaic laws, such as the recently used Emergency Ordinance on Malaysians who had no intent to declare war on His Majesty but merely to demand free and fair elections as a tax payer and as an ordinary citizen.

It is simply unacceptable for a modern nation like Malaysia to depend on such laws which are increasingly being used as a political tool for oppression to scare Malaysians into submission when they have done no wrong but merely to wish for a more transparent and corrupt free electoral system.

It is with this backdrop, that the BN government has clearly lost its moral authority to rule with their brutal crackdown on Bersih participants during both pre and post-July 9peaceful rally.

What moral authority does BN have when freedom of assembly and freedom of speech under the Federal Constitution is rendered meaningless? Instead, oppressive laws such as the Police Act are being used as a political tool to deny us of our basic human rights by giving flimsy and lame excuses such as protecting public safety and security.

We should not be cheated of our basic freedoms, but rather we must draw inspiration from the Bersih 2.0 rally when the true spirit of Merdeka was on display, when Malaysians from all races walked together hand in hand demanding free and fair elections.

These are the true Malaysians who have overshadowed the celebration of Merdeka Day this year.

Merdeka to me means freedom from fear, as well as freedom from oppression. It is a precious personal characteristic that we must have as ordinary Malaysians fighting for our basic freedom in determining our destiny as Malaysians.

If we truly love our country, we must take up the fight for freedom and justice in our land. The most basic fight for freedom now is for free and fair elections. It is only when this is achieved, that we can at last experience the real meaning and true spirit of Merdeka.

Saving Islam or same old race-religion games?

I read with dismay when Jais officials raided the Dream Centre on August 3 during a thanksgiving dinner held by an NGO named Harapan Komuniti to appreciate their efforts in helping Malaysians from all walks of life. This was simply a community event where the Dream Centre was used as a venue to host this event.

What was supposed to be a dream celebration turned out to be a nightmare for the participants, when they were rudely interrupted and premises trespassed by the police and JAIS without a warrant.

The Dream Centre is merely a venue that is rented by DUMC and Community Excel Services. There is no justification to believe that this dinner would be used for proselytisation, other than to host events from any organisation that would like to rent its premises with the number of halls that are available.

The recent raid by Jais on a church has brought to the fore the element of instilling fear in our society. It has brought about a situation where human rights and the freedom to assemble under article 10 of the federal constitution are rendered illusory, based on a mere complaint that certain individuals are found in its premises.

Does this warrant Jais to infringe on basic human rights and freedom to assemble, without an iota of concrete evidence of proselytisation has been found? Jais is simply abusing its powers under the so-called state enactment that was passed by the BN state govt in 1995.

It would seem that Jais has acted on its own with the blessings of a renegade state exco Hasan Ali. Such departure from the basic norm of fact-finding and investigation prior to any action is simply shocking to human rationale and decency.

It creates a dangerous precedent whereby a mere complaint or a hunch could give a blanket licence to the religious authority to launch a raid on private property anytime it wishes. It is learnt that Hasan Ali has evidence to show that DUMC has attempted to proselytise Muslims who were present at the dinner function.

However, the fact that he has failed to produce the evidence thus far and even offered to resign proves that he is not being truthful all this while, but is merely fabricating a story.

Efforts by certain quarters to lay blame on the Christian community is most unfair and high handed. Hasan Ali and his like-minded people are in effect driving a wedge between peoples of different faiths. The driving of this wedge has made it seem that only fear and intimidation rules, whilst freedom under the federal constitution is dead.

As Malaysians, we must not let fear overrule our right to freedom of assembly and association as guaranteed under the federal constitution. We must not let state religious authorities hijack our basic fundamental human rights of freedom of assembly with the flimsiest excuse of acting on a complaint without proof.

The mere fact that the new Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) had a talk on electoral reform in Dream Centre on July 29, where top Bersih leaders like Ambiga were there just a week prior to the raid on the thanksgiving dinner will only raise questions as to the timing of the raid.

I believe the notion of a conspiracy will become more credible each day, as being hatched from powers that be to create fear in the Christian community for their support of Bersih, whereby Muslims are being instigated at the mere mention of the word 'proselytisation', thereby straining the good relationship between people of different faiths for the sake of clawing back lost Malay Muslim support, but sacrificing and rendering the concept of 1Malaysia as nothing more than a myth.

It is hoped that all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion will weed out religious extremism amongst us and work towards moderation and national reconciliation in the spirit of love, truth and justice. Jais and the police must endeavour to exercise wisdom and not subject Malaysians to fear and intimidation.

Freedom should reign and let fear be buried for a better Malaysia. We certainly do not need Hasan Ali's independent stance and extremism to instill fear in Malaysians.