Sarawak PKR has expressed deep concern that Malaysia is now a country wracked by ugly racism, religious extremism and fanaticism, political persecution, entrenched institutionalised discrimination in inter-racial harmony and mutual respect amongst various groups in the country.

"Despite all the feel-good Merdeka day video-clips released by the major businesses and public service announcements over radio and TV, the events that have happened or that have been allowed to happen by the authorities demonstrate that Malaysia has become a country beset by all these woes," said state PKR chief Baru Bian in his Merdeka day message.

He said that on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of Malaya's independence, Malaysians are again forced to confront the grim reality of what their country has turned into today.

He said that in the days of Malaya's newfound independence, the nation’s leaders were men of integrity who had respect for all races and religions, practising what they preached.

"Now we have leaders in Malaysia who tolerate and even condone the actions of supremacist groups who preach hate and violence and whose repugnant arrogance is masking the insecurities they harbour.

"The actions of such groups threaten our peace and harmony and are a source of much concern for us," said Baru who is Ba'Kelalan state assemblyperson.

He added: "That these groups exist is sad, but the tragedy is in the fact that our nation's leaders and even members of our judiciary do not feel morally obliged to fulfill their duties towards all the citizens of this country, to ensure that every citizen's rights are protected.

'Without fear or favour' has lost its meaning and significance at a time when it is desperately needed," he said, believing, however, that there are  many people in this country who still have a vision of the Malaysia that was intended to be and that could still be.

Silent majority must speak up

He added that this mostly silent majority must speak up, in whichever voice suits them best, and show the leaders and judiciary that their failure in fulfilling their sworn duties towards the people is unacceptable.

Bian then threw his support behind Christian Federation of Malaysia’s (CFM) urging for the people to "push harder for personal and institutional changes that will transform the country into a more tolerant and caring society" so that religious extremism and racial polarisation will cease to exist in this country.

"We need not look further than to our closest neighbour Indonesia for inspiration. Joko Widodo ( right ), the new president of the world's most populous Muslim country recently declared with full conviction, without fear or favour, that 'when all is said and done, Indonesia is a secular country which protects freedom of religion and expression. Everyone must work to protect this. This is the only way to guarantee our future.'

"This is the sort of leadership Malaysians need now, more than ever. Let us all do our part to bring about the change that will restore the real peace and harmony we all crave for Malaysia," he said.