(Kuala Lumpur, Sunday): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is correct in his Media message that the full potential of independence requires a continuous struggle, but he does not realize that this struggle is against the 8Ds of Dictatorship, Divisiveness, Dependency, Dishonesty, Double-standards, Discrimination, mediocrity And Disillusionment to succeed in improving the quality of life and national prosperity. 

Malaysia faced severe shortcomings that hamper nation building and development which were unfortunately created by short-sighted government policies.  For instance, what is the point for Abdullah to talk of equipping and building up the capacity of the young generation when present government policies stifle creativity, hard work and entrepreneurship. Prosperity can not grow in a dictatorial environment.  

For this reason the directive to the newspapers not to publish any news on the issue of Malaysia being an Islamic state, the allegedly seditious rap video of Wee Meng Chee, the scandal of requiring Chinese schools to buy stationary from bumi companies and the controversial suggestion by the Chief Justice to replace the common law with Islamic law does not help to form a civil society. How can the Prime Minister and deputy be the only 2 persons out of 27 million Malaysians qualified to speak on these issues? Are 27 million Malaysians invisible? 

So long as the government stresses on policies that divide the people by preferring ketuanan Melayu or Malay unity to Malaysian unity or Bangsa Malaysia, national unity will be a pipe-dream. Divisive policies such as the New Economic Policy (NEP) have engendered a dependency mentality amongst sections of the Malaysian society and according to EU Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Thierry Rommel made Malaysia unable to compete internationally.  

The dishonesty of our leaders has only made things worse with corruption so serious until an international financial house estimated US $100 billion was lost to corruption during Mahathir’s reign as Prime Minister. Unfortunately Abdullah has continued such dishonest practices in the RM 4.6 billion Port Klang Free Trade Zone bailout scandal where land bought for RM 95 million was sold for RM 1.8 billion! 

To hide such corruption, double-standards in applying the law as shown by withdrawal of 37 charges against Port Klang ADUN Datuk Zakaria Md Deros for violating the Companies Act whilst 85 charges against CTOS Sdn Bhd remains and discrimination between bumis and non-bumis has generated both injustice and resentment.   

Since the colour of our skin or the Gods we pray are more important than good governance or our competency, a culture of mediocrity has taken hold. There is no sense of excellence as shown by our poor delivery system and poor maintenance standards. Such policies implemented by the BN during the past 50 years have bred disillusionment amongst many Malaysians, especially non-Malays.  

Without hope there is no future. The time has come for us to abandon the failed policies of the past half-century by replacing it with policies of hope that bring us all together as a united people, introduce a culture of excellence and create a civil society that not only guarantees our fundamental liberties but also assists the unfortunate, poor and needy in our society. 

Promises by Abdullah that he will open government procurement to non-bumi contractors, where 96% of government contracts are given to bumi remain empty promises. When is Abdullah going to implement such promises? More importantly the Merdeka promise that Malaysia is a secular state must be fulfilled. 

The first step towards prosperity is the abolition of the NEP. The NEP also alienated and angered many non-bumis who could not understand why they had to sacrifice for the wealthy bumis. Non-Malays are not angry with the NEP for helping poor Malays. Neither are Malays incensed with the NEP for helping poor non-Malays. What all Malaysians are furious with the NEP is that the NEP is used as a tool of crony capitalism and patronage to enrich the wealthy BN leaders. 

Every Malaysian should have a sense of belonging that he is part of Malaysia. What type of logic is it that makes a non-Malay who has stayed in Malaysia for 500 years not a bumi but an Indonesian a bumi immediately upon attaining citizenship, superior in rights over this 10^th generation non-Malay? All Malaysians should enjoy equal political rights, social-economic justice, equal opportunities and economic prosperity shared by all in a civil society that cherishes democracy, justice and the rule of law. 

For promoting right and opposing wrongdoing, we have been accused of being traitors and being unpatriotic even though we possess only Malaysian citizenship. Instead those who have obtained Permanent Residence status in Australia are not called unpatriotic but rewarded with Datukships and made a Deputy Minister.  

Today’s Merdeka Walk reminds us that this struggle for freedom, justice, democracy and a civil society is a continuous struggle. We hope that the spirit shown in this Merdeka Walk can enlighten as well as inspire all Malaysians that we are one people at heart who were born , grew up, lived and intend to die in this country we love.