I read in the newspapers that the Malaysian media is, in fact, free. They are merely told to be responsible in their reporting and understand the sensitivities of certain issues.

The truth is, however, if they do write anything outside of the approved government propaganda, the editor will find himself replaced and out of a job. It is the same with the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian judiciary, the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Election Commission. They are independent. But they just toe the line and play ball for the sake of national security.

And what is national security? In most countries, it refers to individuals or organisations that pose threats on a national level.

But in Malaysia, national security refers to circumstances when the Barisan Nasional is in danger of losing its political might. Any individual who poses, or is thought to pose a threat to the ruling national front is deemed as a threat to national security and eventually contained or 'turned over'.

In a way, the Malaysian people are held hostage to the Barisan government every five years when the elections comes around. They are asked to choose Barisan Nasional or risk national security.

If our constitution is sacred and the parliamentary system working - and the police, the judiciary and the press independent - then we should not be put in a position of fear each time a general elections comes around.

The truth is the various branches of government are not free and independent. They are instead marionettes moving along with strings attached.