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The 50:44 Merdeka celebrations brought together civil society groups and communities as diverse as the width and breadth of Malaysia itself, from human rights organisations to Orang Asal groups. As one, we celebrated 50 years of independence for part of this nation and 44 years of Malaysia’s formation, sharing stories of lives often unheard and recognising both our victories and our ongoing struggles.

The many themes of the celebrations recognise the need to acknowledge differences, but also that diversity does not need to and should not separate us. We as Malaysians find common ground in aspiring towards a nation.

Where people are treated equally and compassionately before the law;

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;

That regards the principles of human rights as its moral compass;

That accepts the diversity of voices as strength.

These are not mere dreams, but aspirations that our foremothers and forefathers fought to bring into reality from the very first awakening of the desire for freedom from subjugation. Unfortunately, the Malaysia we have now is far from ideal: injustice, violence and discrimination are daily occurrences. Some say we have strayed too far from the right path to find our way back.

We say this is not so.

As the first step towards the achievement of these aspirations, we call upon the Government of Malaysia to immediately (in the next 50 seconds, 50 minutes, 50 hours, 50 days) -

Affirm the supremacy of the Federal Constitution as the mother of all laws;

Study discriminatory and repressive provisions in the law with the view to repeal and replace them with more progressive legislation;

Better enforce existing laws and policies on – most crucially – violence against women and environmental protection;

Ensure the independence of the judiciary;

Encourage and support open dialogue by providing safe spaces for people’s voices to be heard;

Recognise the need for participatory decision-making from all sectors of society;

Recognise the need to strengthen the position of workers and labour rights in this nation;

Recognise the rights of Orang Asal and their special relationship with the land;

Recognise the rights of marginalised groups such as refugees, migrant workers and sexual minorities; as well as their vulnerability to violence perpetrated both by State and non-State actors;

Recognise the painful periods in our history, with the aim of exposing and acknowledging the truth so the process of reconciliation may begin;

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.

However, while the above are important immediate steps, they are not enough to strengthen the foundation upon which change is to happen. We further urge the Government to then (in the next 50 weeks and 50 months) -

Repeal discriminatory and repressive legislation such as the Internal Security Act, the Printing Presses and Publications Act, the University and University Colleges Act, and certain provisions within the Penal Code;

Repeal legislation and policies contrary to the aspirations of the Orang Asal;

Reform the electoral process to ensure that our elections are truly free and fair, and that the Parliament is truly representative of the people;

Reform undemocratic structures and practices within political parties and local, state and Federal governments;

Remove existing reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), incorporating the convention into domestic law towards achieving gender equality;

Remove existing reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and incorporate the convention into domestic law;

Ratify international treaties and covenants on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, the elimination of torture and the protection of asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers;

Hold itself accountable to the people and the principle of openness by passing a Freedom of Information Act;

Strengthen existing human rights mechanisms such as the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM);

Formulate a National Transport Policy, an Energy Policy and a holistic national conservation policy as part of further efforts to address climate change and environmental issues;

Educate the young on human rights, civic awareness, gender equality, indigenous history and traditions, conservation and the political process;

Encourage critical thinking and participation in social change among youths by abolishing legislation and policies restricting students’ civil liberties;

Set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission able to hold independent inquiries into the May 13 and other incidents of race-related tensions;

Set up independent bodies focussing on the settlement of Orang Asal concerns, such as a National Indigenous Peoples Land Commission;

Establish a standard minimum wage for all workers and ensure that the protection of labour laws is extended to workers in all sectors, including the informal sector;

Provide permanent, adequate housing for the urban poor, ensuring 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 itself to a high standard of behaviour by comparing Malaysia to top-ranking countries rather than low-rankers.

We recognise that it will be a long, hard road – it has taken us 50 years since the first cry of “Merdeka!” to have achieved as much as we have, and we have much more to accomplish. However, this memorandum is also a tacit acknowledgement that we have the capacity and the will to do so.

Finally, lasting changes start from within. We, the people who built this nation, welcome 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;

In internalising the principles of human rights;

In loving Malaysia as it deserves, as a nation and as 26 million human beings with needs, rights and aspirations.

The 50:44 Coalition

1. Pusat Komas
2. Suaram
3. Centre for Independent Journalism
4. Aliran
5. Amnesty International
6. Sisters in Islam
7. Youth 4 Change
8. Permas
9. National Human Rights Society (Hakam)
10. Malaysian Bar Council Human Rights Committee
11. Artis pro Activ
12. Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
13. ASLI
14. Food Not Bombs
15. KataGender
16. Sinui Pai Nanek Sengek (SPNS)
17. KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Youth Section
18. Malaysiakini
19. Article 11 Coalition
20. Migration Working Group

• Women’s Aid Organisation
• CARAM Asia
• Parti Keadilan Rakyat
• Labour Resource Centre
• Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA
• Migrant Care
• Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
• Democratic Action Party ( DAP)
• Sisters in Islam
• Health Equity Initiative
• Women’s Centre for Change, Penang
• Kumpulan A.C.T.S.
• All Women Action Society (AWAM)
• National Human Rights Society (HAKAM)

21. Joint Action Group for Gender Equality(JAG)

• All Women’s Action Society
• MTUC – Women’s Committee
• Pusat Janadaya (Empower)
• Sisters in Islam
• Women’s Aid Organisation
• Women’s Centre for Change
• Women’s Development Collective

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