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'Merdeka! Dengan Darah!': Fiery youths mark 71st API anniversary

In downtown Kuala Lumpur, a battle cry from a bygone era echoed in the streets.

"Merdeka! Dengan Darah!" (Freedom! With Blood!) shouted a group of some 100 youths gathered along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman today.

Despite the nature of the chant, the youths decked out in traditional clothes were not baying for blood or violent revolution, but were instead commemorating 71 years since the birth of one of Malaysia's most influential youth movements - Angkatan Pemuda Insaf or API.

API was the youth wing of Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM) - a short-lived but significant leftist party which was established in pre-independence Malaya.

API and PKMM operated from Feb 15, 1946, fighting for independence until the day it was banned by the British on July 17, 1947.

71 years later, as Malaysia heads towards what is set to be the most hard-fought election in its history, the call for this 'fire' to be reignited burns bright once more.

"The struggle (for independence) by API must not only be remembered, but it must be continued!" said veteran activist Ishak Surin (photo, with raised fist), a founding member of API.

"We must continue this struggle until our country becomes one that is fair and prosperous.

"We are disappointed, we are incensed when the Independence fought by our predecessors has been monopolised by those who are cowards, who are traitors, who have oppressed the people of this country," he added...

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