The whole country rejoices when its sportsmen /sportswomen achieve international acclamation, stressed the statement, but as soon as they step into the country, they are immediately segregated as Indian, Chinese, Orang Asal et cetera.

“The ruling elite thrives and remains in power indefinitely by dividing the communities,” added Hindraf Chairman P Waythamoorthy. “It creates a false fear of losing rights should all Malaysians be treated equally.”

As long as there is discrimination based on race and religion and oppression of weaker communities, warned Waytha, Merdeka would be meaningless to the people.

Hindraf was calling on the government to dismantle all race-based policies and forge unity under the principles of Equality, Justice and Freedom.

Merdeka is meant to be a celebration of freedom but we have been re-colonialised by the Umno elite, lamented Waytha. “Colonial rulers used repressive laws to curtail the freedom of the people.”

“Umno appears to be holding on to those laws.”

The true meaning of independence was to guarantee freedom of thought, expression and association, the right to life and liberty, and various other fundamental rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution, pointed out the Hindraf Chief.

Fundamental rights have been denied to citizens, he charged. “Freedom of speech is curtailed. Only those who favour the government are allowed to speak as they wish.”

“Critics are slapped with charges of sedition.”

The legitimate freedom to assemble was curtailed with stringent unconstitutional laws passed by Parliament, continued Waytha. “This has diluted the role of the Constitution and blatantly disregards the core fundamental rights and liberty protected in the document, the Supreme Law of the Land.”

The Federal Constitution, he said, was supreme over Parliament.

Malaysians on the whole feel oppressed by the ruling Umno elite, alleged Waytha. “The urban and semi urban people are not happy with the state of affairs in the country.”

He noted that calls for transparency and openness were met with brutal force and intimidation from the men in blue siding with the ruling elite and condoning its abuse of powers. “They should be protecting the rights of citizens.”

The democratic process to replace legislators was also made impossible by the ruling elite gerrymandering electoral boundaries, he summed up.