As we mark 69 years since Malaya achieved independence, we must ask: Are we still faithful to the inclusive vision articulated at Merdeka and carried forward into Malaysia, or have we strayed dangerously from it? The answer is deeply troubling. We remain divided along ethnic and religious lines.

Citizens whose families have lived here for generations are still called “pendatang” (immigrants). We continue to argue over claims that Malaysia is exclusively a “Malay nation” or that its constitutional identity is that of an Islamic state.

The language of “ketuanan Melayu” (Malay supremacy) implies masters and subordinates, while respect for the Constitution and the rule of law appears increasingly conditional. This is far removed from the inclusive national ideals proclaimed at Merdeka.

apanama is back : Why is Tunku's inclusive vision forgotten, and what happened? It is not forgotten in the real sense. It is deliberately forgotten, and the nation took a wrong turn in the late 60s and early 70s. The rest is history. 

While the inclusive vision is almost dead with Tunku, what surprises most people is that politicians are willing to pursue a completely wrong vision and even defend it at the expense of people's well-being. For me, Malaysia is 70 years old today. Back in 1957, Malaysians would ask, "We are here as a new and young independent state, and where do we want to be next?" 

When we talk about 'next', a country will always strive for the best. Looking back, Malaysia does not strive for its best and is always moving backwards. Let me share part of a "Foreword" by Clive Kessler in late Rustam A. Sani's book titled "Failed Nation? Concerns of a Malaysian Nationalist." 

The foreword was written in 2007. "The recent fiftieth anniversary of Malaysian merdeka was marked by some odd "atmospherics". Joy and pride seemed tinged, among many thoughtful Malaysian citizens, with a certain wistfulness, a mood of resignation and quiet regret: about what might have been, about things earlier hoped for that had not come to pass, and a wondering "why not?" 

Adults of mature years often look back upon the dearest hopes of their younger selves and wonder. They ask themselves, "Why so?" – why had they dared and felt entitled to hope so generously – and "Why not?"- why had their best hopes remained unfulfilled." The above paints a picture of the country's situation in 2007. 

20 years later, in 2026, Malaysia is still the same and getting worse. Rustam chooses the word "Failed" NOT in the sense that what now (back in 2007) exists is nothing, but that it is so much less than what might have been. For Rustam, "just good enough" is just not good enough. 

Malaysia, he insists, and rightly, is capable of, and deserves, so much better. Most of us know the root causes. There is nothing to comment further. However, most of us have lived long enough to see the country's decay and decline. One cannot deny it. 

Malaysians deserve a better country after being independent for 70 years, yet the country still seems directionless and clueless, and can't even solve simple problems such as the sock issue and the flag issue. Spoon-fed for close to 60 years, yet a certain section of society becomes too dependent on it until they feel it is an entitlement without feeling shame. 

It itself is retarding the nation's progress. They do not care as long as the handout is there, and each administration sees it as an obligation, even though the national debt is in the trillions. Coupled with the apartheid and discriminatory policies, the nation seems stuck in its own making. Being independent seems meaningless when no one knows how to run the country. Instead, the country is being screw up. 

The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory, have a nominal GDP per capita of approximately £86,050 (around $110,600 USD). In comparison, the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita—which better reflects resident earnings—stands at about £58,749. At the same time, Malaysia's nominal GDP per capita is estimated at USD 15,085. 

If Malaysia were another British Overseas Territory, we would be better off by now. Looking at Malaysia presently, I often recall those words from the Biblical book known as Ecclesiastes [or "The Preacher of Jerusalem"] that was written, as old traditions maintain, by King Solomon/Nabi Sulaiman: "There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, the kind of wrong that is the doing of rulers: 

"Fools are put in high positions, while the rich [in wisdom] are made to occupy the low ones. "I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves" [Ecclesiastes 10: 5 – 7]. Being intelligent and having merit are some of those princes. The light at the end of the tunnel is dimmed, and the future looks bleak!