What does merdeka mean to you?

Hearing about stories of the brutality and the oppression by the colonialists during the pre-independence era can be heart-wrenching. Norhayati Kaprawi added (adaption mine),

"However as an activist, it is sad to think that although the fear of colonialist may no longer be there, fear nevertheless remains.

Fear that draconian laws are used againsts us, fear for the fate of the future generations if narrow divisive ideologies continues to be imposed unchecked.

Fear that if our leaders and fellow citizens do not deeply desire a country that's inclusive, compassionate, tolerant and respectful of each other's rights and dignity, then we give room to those who are exclusivist, intolerant and do not wish to uphold the Constitution, and who completely disregard human rights to determine the future of Malaysia.

So to be merdeka is to be free from fear"