Kuala Lampur, Aug. 28 -- Every Merdeka, we return to the story of 1957. We should. Political independence gave Malaysians something fundamental, which is the right to determine our own destiny. But 69 years later, the question has changed. The challenge is no longer simply whether Malaysia is free. The harder question is whether we have built enough capacity as individuals, communities and institutions to use that freedom well.

For today's generation, Merdeka should mean more than sovereignty. It should mean having the ability to build a decent life, participate in the economy, live peacefully despite our differences, contribute to society and believe that tomorrow can be better than today.

Malaysia enters its 69th National Day with enc...