As the nation prepares to celebrate its 50th year of independence, are all communities equally excited and grateful for the developments that have taken place over the past 50 years? Let us reflect to see the direction we are heading.

All citizens alike have contributed greatly towards achieving our independence from the British and subsequently in fighting the communist insurgency that followed. Despite our diverse origins, we considered the nation as our motherland and together shared a common brotherhood. In the spirit of that brotherhood, we together formulated the Federal Constitution which was to be the guide for the peaceful coexistence of subsequent generations.

We have come a long way from being a poor underdeveloped agricultural country to today's highly prosperous industrialised one within a short span of 50 years. This is due to the hard and dedicated labour of all citizens. In the process of achieving this rapid socio-economic development, we have also given way to the emergence of a number of undesirable situations that have begun to threaten the very foundation on which our nation had been built on by our forefathers.

When we were young, we had friends from all races. We studied, played, ate and even prayed together. We cherished the pleasant times we had together as children. Those who performed well in examinations were allowed entry into local public universities without a fuss.

We served the rakyat in the remote areas of Sabah and Sarawak and in the dangerous border areas of Kelantan, Perak and Kedah. The thought of racial or religious differences never crossed our minds at any time. That was the spirit of our training in schools and colleges those days.

We worked hard to help bring the country to its present elevated state but unfortunately today, we are now being seen as threats to the very institutions we strived for. We are repeatedly reminded that we are a 'kaum pendatang'. It is ironical that our forefathers who actually came from elsewhere did not feel they were a 'kaum pendatang' but we and our children - born and bred here - are constantly reminded so.

Although we are legitimate citizens, paying taxes, we are denied our rights to education at public institutions, employment in the civil service and armed forces and opportunities by government-linked businesses. We are being increasingly marginalised from the mainstream of development. The Federal Constitution is being ignored and our rights enshrined in that sacred document are being blatantly denied.

In recent times, even our freedom of worship is being impeded. Millions of taxpayers' money is spent on building mosques, 'suraus' and religious schools but only a negligible amount is allocated for the building of churches and temples. Not only we are not allowed to erect places of worship but even the existing such places are demolished indiscriminately.

Islamic values are being slowly assimilated into the civil service, armed forces, schools, sports and into fact into every facet of public life. This is causing anxiety and uneasiness among the non-Muslims who form a significant 40 percent of the population. This is slowly but surely excluding us from all these institutions. We have no qualms about syariah laws but there is real fear that soon it may be the supreme law of the land for all.

Now, on the brink of our 50th anniversary we are once again reminded that Malaysia as an Islamic state. This declaration comes from none other than our deputy prime minister himself. When we try to air our displeasure, all such protests are banned. Even cabinet ministers are forbidden to discuss the issue. How are we to solve our problems if we are forbidden to even discuss them?

The vast majority of Malaysians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, are busy with their lives, slogging away to make ends meet. They are least interested as to whether the country is a secular or Islamic state. All they want is peace and freedom to practice their religion in the way they see it fit. They want others to respect and not belittle their religion. In fact, that was the way it was and that is the way it should always be.

A truly independent nation should fulfill the aspirations of all her citizens alike. No distinction should be made based on ethnicity, religion, political alienation or socio-economic status. It must meet the following criteria:

A parliamentary form of government based upon the concept of one person, one vote. All groups must be proportionately represented.

Rights of the minorities must be assured and protected. Their language, culture and religion should be respected. There is a need to emphasise on universal moral values that are shared by all religions.

The rule of law must be upheld at all costs. All trespassers must be dealt with fairly without prejudice of favouritism. An independent police and judiciary force are of utmost importance.

Eradication of poverty should be above race and religion. The poor from all communities should be equally entitled to special assistance.

True meritocracy must be employed in the recruitment to the institutions of higher learning, public service, police and armed forces.

Based on the above criteria are we really independent? For the ordinary rakyat Merdeka will only be meaningful if he and she has a decent job, decent food, proper shelter, proper transport, affordable health care, reasonable education for the children, freedom to worship, an independent justice system, and a safe and secure environment for him and his loved ones.

Above all, he needs to be appreciated and respected for his contributions to his country, however meager they may be. In short, he needs to be treated as a legitimate citizen and not as a stranger or an alien in his own land

Until these can be achieved, Merdeka will not and have any meaning for the ordinary man on the street. To him it will just be another public holiday to witness the various celebrations that have been lined up.