The Official Launch of the Merdeka Statement

The official launch of THE MERDEKA STATEMENT in commemoration of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary of independence was held at Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya at 9.30 am on 2nd Aug. 2007. It was entitled “TOWARDS 2020: Working Together for a More United, Competitive, Innovative & Prosperous Malaysia”. It was organized by the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) which is an arm of Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI).

The Merdeka Statement (MS) was formulated in consultation with 42 organizations representing Malaysians from different ethnic, religious, vocational and academic backgrounds. It sets out a set of nation-building principles and basic beliefs which can constitute a philosophy to guide Malaysia for the next 50 years to 2057. 

The Statement encapsulates 8 Strategic Thrusts: Strengthening National Unity, Enhancing International Competitiveness, Creating an Innovation Economy, Redressing Imbalances, Reinforcing Institutions, Reforming Education, Ensuring the Quality of Life for all citizens, and Improving Governance in the form of Government without fear or favour.

The Chairman for CPPS, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Ramon V Navaratnam, welcomed the participants before the introduction to the MS by Dr. Michael Yeoh, the CEO of ASLI.

The Guest of Honour, YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Bernard Giluk Dompok, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, delivered the Keynote Address. He said that the MS was based on the guiding principles of the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara. He stressed on the importance of integrating all the races of Malaysia to form one Malaysian identity. Naming minor races, especially those from Sabah and Sarawak, as “lain-lain” should also be eliminated. He affirmed that Malaysia is not an Islamic State and called for racial and religious harmony. The participants were encouraged to deliberate and fine-tune the 8 strategic thrusts before presenting the MS to the Government. He also reminded those present that the government can be changed based on the decisions of the Rakyat.

Next, the MS was launched by ASLI President, Mirzan Mahathir. Following the launch, Tricia Yeoh, the Senior Research Analyst for CPPS, gave an overview of the MS before the Panel Discussion by Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri representing the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism, Ms Ivy Josiah, the Executive Director of the Women’s Aid Organisation, Mr. Dipendra Harshad Rai who read out the prepared text of Dato’ Mohd Zaid Ibrahim, the MP of Kota Bharu who was unable to attend, and Mr. Andrew Khoo of the Malaysian Bar Council. This session was chaired by Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Ramon V Navaratnam.

The interesting and comprehensive discussion touched on many topics including upholding the Federal Constitution, racial and religious disharmony and extremism, discrimination, gender inequality, implementation of policies, racial and religious polarization, Bumiputra status and rights, poverty-eradication, rights of children and the disabled, ignorance of rules and regulations by those in authority, emancipation (healing of past hurts), educating the present generation on human rights laws and elucidating what the future holds.

The programme ended with a very lively Question and Answer Session when many concerned participants contributed very positively towards improving the MS. The success and the smooth running of the event is attributed to the meticulous planning and organization by CPPS and ASLI.

Sheila Ramayah