Scrub clean the carefully crafted image of Malaysia as a self-proclaimed champion of human rights, look beyond its non-permanent membership in the UN Human Rights Council and you will see the country has nothing to celebrate about on Dec 10.
Throughout 2015, the UMNO-led government helmed by a desperate Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has infringed upon our inherent rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
In fact, heaps of law that were forcefully pushed through Parliament in the wee hours of the morning methodically chipped away our civil liberties, leaving us begging for what was once rightfully ours.
In the name of national security, laws such as Prevention of Terrorism Act and Security Offences (Special Measures) Act were passed to nab anyone who was legitimately critical of the government.
The argument that one can love one’s country without loving its government is not tolerated here.
Criticisms against Najib and his debt-ridden brainchild, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, are topics which are off-limits to its people.
And to tighten the screw further into our flesh, Najib rammed through the National Security Council Bill to thump his fist against his own party and warn them to shut up, clearly sending a message that he has entrenched his position as the top guy in the country. Opinion polls and people’s wrath can go take a walk.
Najib, who pledged to open up the democratic space in the country, has single-handedly contributed to the erosion of human rights in Malaysia. And all to keep his grip on power, amidst escalating tension following allegations of corruption involving the sovereign state fund, 1MDB and growing calls for resignation from his colleagues in UMNO.
As fears of his imminent departure grew, Najib responded in the only way he knew – by introducing obnoxious laws that restricted our freedom. His self-styled vision of a moderate Malaysia was nothing but a hoax.
So what’s there to celebrate on International Human Rights Day, one may ask.
We, the people of Malaysia, who have fought for our rights and who continue demanding to exercise our inherent rights, are the reasons for celebration.
We, Malaysians from all walks of life who want to leave behind a better country for the next generation, are the reason for a bit of dance and cheer on this crucial day.
Together, we can shape a better nation.
In contrast, Najib will have no choice but to live out his tattered image of a reformist.