I, too, join other Malaysians in celebrating our nation's 50th anniversary of Merdeka. Unfortunately, the spirit and atmosphere of the celebrations have been overshadowed by controversies and tension. The waving of the 'keris' and other episodes in the country have raised the racial and religious tensions.

The insensitive and irresponsible acts of the Umnoputras have given pain and hardship to the already helpless minority who have been marginalised, bullied and suppressed by the powers-that-be and might of the majority all this while.

Merdeka or independence has lost its real meaning for the minority. Merdeka no more signifies a breakaway from the shackles of the colonial British but merely means one master replacing the other.

I sincerely hope that the Malays (especially the Umnoputras) put themselves in the shoes of the non Malays and empathise with them. When every road to basic rights and hopes in life - in education, career, business, religion and social life - is blocked by unfair government policies and practices, and when expressions of their feelings and grievances are disallowed, how would the non Malays feel and how would they contribute to the nation building?

Was this not the kind of situation which Malaysians had gone through when our nation was under the British rule? So where is the independence? The non Malays' wish to call this country home and their sacrifices for the good of their beloved nation have not been appreciated and accepted. I love my country. My country loves me not.