Increasingly I am hearing that this country is likely to be under the clutches of foreign powers again. Some even postulated that the country is now like Iraq years back, likely to be attacked by US invasion forces.

Some claimed that the country is likely to be recolonised, this time through ideas, economic dominance, mind control, social media and even the banking networks.

I don’t know; have we preserved and maintained our independence to begin with? Why are we fuming about all this now?

You see, when a rogue foreign bank could raise billions of ringgit for us at exorbitant rates and without knowing the means we are able to pay back, does it sound like this country is independent? Does it sound like this country knows what it is doing?

When a shadowy finance ‘expert’ could influenced us to part with billions of ringgit so that he can indulge in opulent lifestyle with celebrities and pay off his gambling debts, does it sound like this country is independently managed?

When we could wire billions of ringgits to a ‘wrong’ account as ‘directed’ by some Arabs, does it sound like this country’s finance is in good hand?

We raised billions to buy energy assets but only to sell them at the loss. We have valuable government lands injected into a government-linked company (GLC) but now it seems that half is owned by foreign corporations. Does this sound like we are managing our resources prudently?

Independence is not what others bestowed on us. It is how we preserve and protect it. Potential foreign domination and interference are always there, it is how we keep them at bay.

How do we keep our independence when we have painted ourselves into a corner, now increasingly depending on the goodwill of foreign governments not to be too ‘harsh’ in our transgressions?

I wish to urge all our leaders (yes, from both BN and Pakatan Harapan and including Muhyiddin Yassin, Hadi Awang and Dr Mahathir Mohamad) not to be blind and obstinate. Please look at the reality staring right at us. We fouled up big time, so don’t blame it on others.

I watched a video showing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore being received by President Barack Obama at the White House lawn recently. Besides the kebaya worn by Madam Lee and her RM48 pouch and the Malay lyrics sung (Singapore national anthem ‘Majulah Singapura’), I could discern the tiny nation’s true independence and its ability to stand as equal to others.

Singapore does not rant about bigger neighbours likely to swallow it up. It just makes sure they don’t.