Malaysia's Journey Toward Becoming Truly Independent Nation

Being properly cognizant of our achievements after more than half a century of independence - no matter how small - can be building blocks for bigger and greater successes; and conversely, recognising our major and lingering weaknesses can be useful in eliminating encumbrances that will sap our energy and waste our already limited resources - both human and otherwise - which may unravel the achievements that have been attained with great difficulty. However, independence is really a multi-levelled challenge. Merely obtaining political independence from colonial powers is not enough. Higher level independence starts with the freedom and independence of the mind to think and act according to the highest principles of knowledge and worthy traditions of a nation. Our challenges are therefore mostly centred on the higher intellectual level.