More than 100 people, hailing from as far as the highlands of Sabah to the southern forests of Johor, gathered at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur today to march in celebration of - and to demand - independence, human rights, and democracy.

"Defend - our Independence! Return - our rights! Restore - democracy!" shouted the crowd as they held banners and affirmed the centrality of THE PEOPLE to the existence of Malaysia.

Most in the crowd were either participants in or had witnessed the preceding 10 days of forums, cultural and theatrical performances, art exhibitions, and discussions that made up the 50:44 Malaysia Merdeka celebrations that took place at Central Market.

Organised by a coalition of 30 civil society organisations, the celebrations were held under the theme of "Remembering the People that Built This Nation" in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Merdeka and the 44th anniversary of the joining of Sabah and Sarawak.

Under the watch of a handful of police personnel from the Dang Wangi district police station, indigenous community leaders, human rights lawyers, media and grassroots activists took turns to read out a memorandum on the need to recognise both Malaysia's victories and her "ongoing struggles".

"We as Malaysians find common ground in aspiring towards a nation where people are treated equally and compassionately before the law, a nation where one may live free from bigotry and unfair discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, religion, conscience, belief, wealth, sexuality, marital status, age, disability, language and birth," said 50:44 convener Jerald Joseph (left).

"A nation that regards the principles of human rights as its moral compass, a nation that accepts the diversity of voices as strength," he added.

Participatory decision-making

As a first step towards achieving those aspirations, said Hellen Empaning from Sarawakian advocacy group Borneo Resources Institute (Brimas), the government should return to the true governance of law, better enforce existing laws and policies, ensure the independence of the judiciary, and encourage and support open dialogue through freedom of expression.

She also called on the government to recognise the need for more participatory decision-making, the need to strengthen the position of workers and labour rights, the rights of the Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak and their special relationship with the land, and the rights of marginalised groups such as refugees, migrant workers and sexual minorities as well as their vulnerability to violence.

She urged the government to "recognise the painful periods in our history, with the aim of exposing and acknowledging the truth so the process of reconciliation may begin."

The government should also respect the spirit of the 20-Points Agreement that places peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak as "equal partners in the formation and nation-building process of Malaysia," said Empaning.

Kuala Lumpur-based Judie Wong grassroots organisation Permas, meanwhile, urged the government to repeal discriminatory and repressive legislation such as the Internal Security Act and legislation and policies contrary to the aspirations of the Orang Asal, and to reform the electoral process to ensure free and fair elections.

Parliament, she added, must become "truly representative of the people," in tandem with reforms of undemocratic structures and practices within political parties and local, state and federal governments.

Empaning also called for the removal of existing reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the incorporation of both conventions into domestic laws.

She also urged for the ratification of international treaties and covenants on civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights and the elimination of torture and the protection of asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers.

Alice Nah of the Human Rights Society called on the government to hold itself accountable to the people and the principle of transparency by passing a Freedom of Information Act, and to strengthen human rights mechanisms such as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.

Walk with us, gov't urged

She also urged the formulation of a national transport policy, an energy policy, and a holistic national conservation policy as part of efforts to tackle climate change and environmental issues.

The young should also be educated on human rights, civic awareness, gender equality, indigenous history and traditions, conservation and the political process, while critical thinking and participation in social change should be encouraged by abolishing legislation and policies that restrict students' civil liberties, said Nah.

Roger Chen from the Bar Council's human rights committee called for the set-up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to hold an independent inquiry into the May 13, 1969 clashes and other race-related tensions, and the establishment of independent bodies to focus on Orang Asal concerns.

He also called for a minimum wage for all workers, the protection of labour laws for all workers, the provision of permanent adequate housing for the urban poor, then to ensure their protection against forced relocation and other threats.

"Halt the march of privatisation and Free Trade Agreements, with the view to, instead, build a more equitable economic system. Hold (government) to a high standard of behaviour by comparing Malaysia to top-ranking countries rather than low-rankers," Chen added.

Concluding the reading of the memorandum, Joseph urged the government to "walk with us in confronting our fears and apathy, in accepting diversity and differences, in empowering ourselves to reclaim our rights, in speaking up and taking action against hate and injustice, (and) in internalising the principles of human rights."

"In loving Malaysia as it deserves, as a nation, and as 26 million citizens and many more non-citizens with needs, rights and aspirations," said Josephy.

The memorandum was submitted to Seputeh Member of Parliament and DAP leader Teresa Kok, who promised to bring it to the attention of her colleagues and to raise it up in Parliament.