COMMENT | Malaysia has just celebrated its 68th year of independence from British rule, although Sabah and Sarawak only became independent with the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

In recent years, there has been much questioning of the core principles that brought us together in our modern incarnation.

A few question the validity or legitimacy of the Constitution, saying that it was imposed on us by the British. Some question the adoption of the Common Law of England as one of the sources of our law.

Some, like former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, question the loyalty of non-Malays because they maintain their ethnic roots - their culture and their language.

Meanwhile, East Malaysians are unhappy about their relative lack of development and their geographical, social, and economic isolation.