LETTER | We just celebrated our 66th year of Merdeka but unfortunately, we are still battling for basic rights, taking on supremacists, corruption, double standards, discrimination, unlawful conversions and extremism in the country.

Citizens got divided using the race and religion card over the decades. Hence, it’s up to ordinary Malaysians to speak out and demand for our rights to be restored as both past and present administrations have failed us.

Nothing has changed over the years. Self-serving politicians only know how to sow discord by playing up racial and religious sentiments just to gain political mileage.

We only talk about unity and a common agenda on three occasions – Merdeka Day, Malaysia Day and during general elections. On other days, it’s back to being segregated based on racial and religious lines.

In recent years, the use (or rather misuse) of religion in politics has become more rampant. In essence, we are moving backwards instead of progressing to become a developed nation.

Compounding the problem, the government is doubling down on religious studies in schools, which is creating a lot of pushback from citizens. Please, keep away religion from politics, schools and the workplace.

And recently, we noticed that those who criticise the present administration are getting subjected to harassment and intimidation from the authorities.

This is an affront to basic human rights and goes against Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech.

The question we all have to ask ourselves now is, where is Malaysia heading? Can Malaysia be saved or are we heading to become a failed state?

Our unity and harmony are under threat, and it’s our responsibility to reclaim our nation from narrow-minded politicians.

Author is president of the Global Human Rights Federation.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.