As Malaysia gears itself to celebrate 53 years of Merdeka, one wonders what will it cost, literally, to be independent in the future?

They say every journey starts with the first step, and perhaps the steps taken by the 200-strong crowd would be the start to the journey by various child rights NGOs in the country: The fight against the trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

When a child is having a baby, and she is frightened because she suddenly realises the consequences of her actions do we support her? Or do we crucify her.... together with the infant? Would providing a baby hatch for the young mother to at least know that her child will be in safe hands be the right thing to do?

A cat with a screw embedded in its skull. Chemicals dropped into the taped-open eyes of dogs. Monkey brains electrocuted, dissected, torn apart... while still alive. This is what we do in the name of science and human preservation. But the question is: Are we the animals, or do we do it for the greater good?

There is a law that can hold criminals accountable for their crimes in trafficking children for sexual exploitation. But Malaysia is one of three countries in Southeast Asia that hasn't signed this Protocol. What are you going to do about it?  By Pauline Wong