The Illusion of Independence: The Colonial Legacy and the Struggle for True Liberation
(Translated)
News:
Malaysia celebrates its Independence Day on August 31st under the slogan "Civil Malaysia: People's Pastoral Care." But the question remains: Has independence achieved the desired liberation and justice, or does the colonial legacy still shape our society, economy, and politics?
Comment:
Since 1957, Malaysia has progressed in many areas. But independence does not only mean political sovereignty and material progress. Colonialism, especially under British rule, has left deeper traces: Secularism, liberalism, and nationalism have become ingrained in institutions and thought. These legacies continue to guide the nation's path, albeit largely to its detriment. Western cultural imports have eroded traditional values, weakened family cohesion, and increased problems of divorce and mental health, and young people suffer from toxic social media and cancel culture. Bullying in schools and tragedies related to alcohol persist, while moral decay threatens the fabric of society. Capitalism, entrenched by colonialism, dominates Malaysia's economy. Populist policies generate long-term burdens, national and household debt rises, and interest-based systems prevail under an Islamic banner. GDP growth hides a decline in purchasing power and a widening inequality gap. The rich thrive while ordinary people face rising living costs, unemployment, and difficulty obtaining housing. Currency volatility linked to the US dollar exposes Malaysia to global manipulation. Meanwhile, British secular and liberal governance models have left behind systems prone to oligarchy, corruption, and cronyism. Politics often serves party interests at the expense of the people, with short-term populism replacing national vision. Institutions remain vulnerable to interference, while Islamic rulings capable of ensuring justice are neglected.
The colonial "divide and conquer" approach has undoubtedly fragmented the Muslim Ummah. Nationalism has replaced unity, leaving Muslim countries weak and vulnerable. Today, the oppression in Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Myanmar, East Turkestan, and Sudan embodies this weakness. International bodies such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have failed to defend the dignity of Muslims, demonstrating a lack of effective leadership and solidarity.
Rethinking Independence
Malaysia's sovereignty is undermined by near-complete reliance on Western systems. Its promises of justice and prosperity are hollow. True liberation requires embracing Islam as an integrated framework. The words of Rib'i bin Amir to Rustam are immortal: "Allah sent us to bring whom He wills from the worship of people to the worship of Allah, and from the narrowness of this world to its vastness, and from the injustice of religions to the justice of Islam."
Justice and prosperity require the full implementation of divine law under the Caliphate, where true justice and prosperity can be achieved. Former scholars from the Malaysian world, such as Sheikh Ahmad al-Fathani, raised this awareness, linking independence struggles with the defense of Islamic unity. Their lessons remain timeless: Material independence without spiritual and intellectual liberation is an illusion.
The so-called Malaysian Independence Day should be filled with reflection. The colonial legacy - societal erosion, falling into the trap of capitalism, political corruption, and Islamic division - continues to shape Malaysia. True independence requires rejecting these illusions and restoring comprehensive Islamic rule. Only through unity and the Caliphate can sovereignty be real, liberating the body, mind, and soul from the darkness of colonial rule.
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut-Tahrir by
Dr. Muhammad – Malaysia
