MSA independent?

The MSA Committee has repeated time and again that it is an "independent body", one would wonder why such an "independent body" should climax its activities every August 31 by a "Merdeka Ball". I am sure we all want independence and yearn for the day. When the three races of our country are bound together infirm solidarity and mutual understanding, but are we truly independent when more than 70% of our economy is in the hands of foreign capitalists? Are we living in racial harmony when the present fascist government is playing the racist policy of dividing our people into hatred and mistrust? Are we enjoying democratic freedom when we are deprived of our basic human rights?

Year after year, the selected new MSA committee always advocates the commandments of looking after the welfare of Malaysian students. Now the NZUSA has organised a forum to discuss the critical fate of our civil liberties and democratic rights, it would be interesting to see if the committee members chose to justify their empty promises or really show their concern for us.

Recently the students back home have staged a demonstration against the Universities and Universities College Act which prevents students from voicing their opinions on national issues that confront our country today. This act is stretching its evil claws on us here in NZ too. Following the rampant Malaysian student movements let us all work hand in hand with our Kiwi friends who have shown their esteem spirit of internationalism to fight for democratic freedom against the unjust authority!

G. Ong