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Merdeka month celebration: Contributions of all races towards achieving Independence must be highlighted Press Statement by Kerk Kim Hock (Petaling Jaya, Monday): In conjunction with the launching of the month long 46 th Merdeka Day celebration, the government Organising Committee has put up buntings along the major streets in Malacca.   The main bunting that has been displayed consist of the photographs of five of the nation’s leaders, namely, Dato Onn Jaafar, frist President of UMNO and the nation’s four Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Hussien Onn and Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.   The photographs obviously serve to highlight the achievement and activities of these leaders. For example, in the case of Tun Hussein Onn, a photograph was depicted showing him shaking hand with Mao Tze Tung (first President of China) while in the photograph depicting Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the background consists of mega projects like the world s' tallest Twin Towers.   However, what has caused unhappiness and invited criticisms is the first photo that shows Dato Onn Jaafar and a banner with the words: MALAYA FOR MALAYS. MALAYAN UNION NOT WANTED.   The contribution of Dato Onn Jaafar in opposing the Malayan Union is not being questioned and is not the question here.   The people’s objection is, since the launching is to begin the month long Merdeka Day celebrations, why did not the Organising Committee choose not to highlight the sacrifices and contribution made by all major communities towards the struggle to achieve the nation's Independence?    The Organising Committee cannot be absolved from the blame that it has been insensitive towards the feelings of other races, or that it ahs ignored  their forefathers' contribution.   In the wake of the keen political competition between  Umno and Pas on the question Islamic State, DAP’s month long Merdeka celebration is aimed at reminding the people to reaffirm the greatest contribution by Tunku Abdul Rahman and the social contract reached by the major communities on achieving Independence – the fundamental Constitution principle that the nation is a democratic, secular, multi religious and tolerant nation, with Islam as the official religion but the nation is not an Islamic State.   (18/8/2003) * Kerk Kim Hock, DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka