DAP calls for the start of a process of national healing with the withdrawal of all charges against former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his release on bail pending outcome of his appeal.
In his millennium message, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad called on Malaysians to close ranks and set aside differences to face the new millennium with resilience and strength to take the country towards greater success and ensure that Malaysia will continue to be free, independent and successful.
He lamented last week that "Malaysians do not practise democracy like it is done in the West because they continue to fight and engage in enmity even after elections are over".
He said that in the West the society would close ranks after elections and the situation would return to what it was before the polls.
He said: "In the West, party politics is limited to strictly political matters and does not extend to social life".
He said that in this country, the people seemed not interested in making up and closing ranks even after elections had been completed.
"We borrow democracy from the West but we do not practise it like they do," he said.
Let all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political beliefs make a resolve to work together for the common national good by ending all politics of spite, hatred and divisiveness.
We may have our political differences, but we should be first and last Malaysians.
DAP is prepared to set the example of national reconciliation for the restoration of justice, freedom, democracy and good governance in Malaysia.
It is in this spirit that I will make Hari Raya Open House visits to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, UMNO Ministers and leaders as well as Barisan Alternative leaders.
(7/1/2000)