With sorrow in his voice, academic Tajuddin Rasdi - a relentless thorn in the side of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s race-baiting theatrics - delivered a chilling verdict.

“Sadly, I have witnessed the near death of our Merdeka. I witnessed Malay-based parties pit one race against another under the guise of defending the sanctity of the flag,” he told Malaysiakini.