The Temuan land takeover Video

Merdeka is a word in the Malay language meaning independence or freedom. The term was significant during the anti-colonialist and pro-independence movements of colonial Malaya. It became a battle-cry for those demanding independence from Britain, the colonial masters.

In 1957 Malaya (then) got what it wanted. It became an independent nation free from all foreign control. But the question now remains; why do some of us, especially the Orang Asli feel that we have never really achieved any independence? To these indigenous people it only seems that it was just a transfer of one foreign control to another...

Sadly, the very people who saw the value and need of freedom for themselves, could not see the same value and need for freedom in others...

Camera/Editor/Producer/Narrator: Nick Josh Karean, a Fellow of the Malaysiakini - ICFJ citizen journalism workshop