I am writing this letter with a heavy heart. It has been almost 46 years since Malaysia's independence. Fourty-six years of self-governance, of going forward from a colonial confinement. Fourty-six years of liberation from foreign powers, 46 years of sovereignty.

Yet where are we now? How Tunku Abdul Rahman and his allies fought relentlessly and tirelessly for independence, for freedom, for liberty! How our leaders stove hard to attain racial integration, economic development, and global success. They tried. Oh yes, they tried.

Love them or hate them, but every prime minister who stood at the helm of the country, beginning from Tunku, right until the present Dr Mahathir Mohamad, strove to captain a fledgling nation to what it is today.

On the surface, it is a great country, statistics are really encouraging in terms of economic achievements. Malaysia boleh, oh yes, it sure boleh. We have produced people who are able to scale mountains, sail solo around the world and lately, the first Asian to swim the English Channel.

Yet, what has happened to our people? Beside the handful able to do meaningful things to make the country proud, what about the rest? Where is their humanity? Why are there so many people nowadays who have become backward, primitive cavemen who do nasty and despicable acts to

other humans? Why do we find among ourselves, in our daily lives, rapists, maid-abusers, corrupted officials, bullies, ruthless criminals, murderers, and the like, increasing by the day?

Just looking at the newspapers every morning makes me sick! Where are our values? Where are our pride and morals as the people of a cultured, independent and sovereign nation?

I am not talking about holy attitudes and strict religious tenets. What I am saying is that Malaysians today seem to have lost their humanity, their sense of compassion, tolerance, and basic religious and moral values.

I am afraid of walking in the streets, I am worried for my sisters who work in high-rise buildings, I am afraid for my female friends who park their cars in public places. I am afraid to think of what Malaysia will be like in 10 or 20 years from now.

Just what has gone wrong? Why have people lost respect and compassion for each other? Why has polarisation become such a widespread phenomenon? Why aren't people committed to work for a united, tolerant and successful country? Why are we all so obsessed with material success to the point of neglecting all else (mental, spiritual and intellectual development)? Why isn't the national education policy working?

There have been numerous policies and plans mooted by the government to improve the people, to develop the country. However, none of them really and truly worked out as desired, mainly because of rampant corruption, poor implementation, the lack of commitment and lack of cooperation from all quarters.

How much can a leader do if his subordinates, those who are entrusted with the job, do not perform as they should? If his ministers and their staff are not pro-active, insincere, not trustworthy, and not forward-thinking, how much can a prime minister do, short of kicking them in the butt?

If Tunku could see how his vision, his labour of love, and hopes have been so quashed by the very people he loved - Malaysians - he would be turning in his grave! I send this letter with a heavy heart too, because I do not see a solution to this deep rot. I only hope that Malaysians will buck up, realise and be grateful for what they have and appreciate it all before they unwittingly throw it all away.