Call on Parliament to adopt  an unanimous  45^th National Day resolution on Sept. 9  to demonstrate that Malaysians are capable of national unity despite their differences whether of race, language, culture, religion or political beliefs and affiliation

(Penang, Friday):  For the first time in the nation’s history, Parliament will be meeting in the midst of National Day celebrations, starting its two-month budget meeting on Sept. 9 – nine days after the 45^th National Day on August 31 and seven days before the 39^th Malaysia  Day on September 16. 

Parliament should give special meaning to this historic first by adopting an unanimous 45^th  National Day resolution on Sept. 9 to demonstrate that Malaysians are capable of national unity despite their differences whether of race, language, culture, religion or political beliefs and affiliation. 

If MPs regardless of party, whether Barisan Nasional, Barisan Alternative or DAP cannot transcend political differences and adopt an unifying National Day resolution to commemorate the 45^th National Day, then this should be a subject of serious deliberation by the country on the grave state of national disunity and polarization in the country among the people 45 years after independent nationhood. 

The Parliamentary 45^th National Day Resolution, which should be drafted by an all-party drafting committee before the Dewan Rakyat meets on Sept. 9, should not be a meaningless or  empty-sounding verbiage but a courageous and forthright recognition of the political, economic, social and nation-building challenges facing the country in the 21^st century and an reaffirmation by all MPs on behalf of all Malaysians to build an united, democratic, liberal, equitable, just and prosperous nation which could surmount the challenges of globalisation, liberalization and information and communications technology. 

In the parliamentary debate on the 45^th National Day Resolution, there should be no attempt to gloss over the national crisis,  dilemmas or  problems, whether on democracy, human rights, corruption, the rule of law, education, economic justice or sustainable development, but there should be an overarching will capable of transcending existing differences to manifest a national unity for the good of the country and people. 

DAP is prepared to give its full contribution to support and endorse such a 45^th National Day Resolution by Parliament on Sept. 9.

(30/8/2002)