By Vijay Joshi
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Malaysia marked 50 years of independence on Friday with dances and parades, in a colourful show of ethnic unity that belied worsening race relations and growing fears about eroding minority rights.
Smartly dressed Malays, Chinese and Indians danced in a parade at the Merdeka Square, or Freedom Square, where Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman announced independence from Britain on August 31, 1957.
In a midnight speech to about 100 000 Malaysians assembled at Merdeka Square, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the struggle to fulfil the objectives of independence has not been won, despite remarkable economic progress and prosperity for nearly all citizens.
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'I have my doubts we can continue to sustain the pace of the progress'
"The struggle is for all Malaysians. We must ensure that no region or community is left behind. We will hold true to the concept of justice and fairness for all citizens," Abdullah said. "We must take care of our unity."
But racial unity appears to be unravelling, say many observers, citing an affirmative action program for the majority Malays and the growing influence of Islam that ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities say is undermining the constitutional rights to a secular government and freedom to practice their faiths.
"Although we have achieved a lot in 50 years, I have my doubts we can continue to sustain the pace of the progress until we change our mind-set and develop more dynamic and meritocratic policies," said Ramon Navaratnam, a former Finance Ministry adviser and an architect of the country's economic policies.
Malay Muslims make up about 60 percent of the country's 26 million people. Chinese are 25 percent, Indians 10 percent and the rest belong to other minorities.
Members of the three races got together on Friday in a state-orchestrated party at Merdeka Square. Thousands of drummers proved the beats for various dances watched by Malaysia's constitutional king and queen, government ministers, foreign dignitaries and tens of thousands of citizens.
The programme has given rise to minority disenchantment
Helicopters showered the crowd with powder in colours of the national flag, and newly acquired Russian-made fighter jets flew by for the finale.
At independence, Malays were the poorest and the most backward ethnic group. But an affirmative action programme started in 1971 gave Malays privileges and preferences in jobs, education, businesses, housing, bank loans and government contracts.
The programme has given rise to minority disenchantment, and even Malays have complained that it benefits only those close to Abdullah's United Malays National Organisation party. The party dominates the ruling coalition, sharing some power with Chinese, Indian and other race-based parties.
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