(Sitiawan, Friday):
The
people of Lumut tonight are witnesses to two instances of serious erosion of
democracy and human rights after the 1999 general elections.
The first is the case of DAP MP for Batu Gajah Fong Po Kuan, victim of the
brute Barisan Nasional majority in Parliament which suspended her for six months
without allowance not because she has committed any crime or offence but because
she was prepared to do what Barisan Nasional MPs dare
not do - to fearlessly speak up in Parliament against all forms of injustices in
the country.
The
second is the denial of the human rights of Malaysians to freedom of assembly
and expression with the undemocratic ban and restrictions on public political meetings,
where people are allowed to gather to eat and drink, but not to
speak and discuss national issues.
The
Barisan Nasional government wants to turn Malaysia into a highly-developed
"zoo" where the people can eat and drink in comfort, but who do not
speak, discuss or think.
I
salute the people of Lumut who have responded to the DAP call to stand and by unanimous
show of hands declare their rejection of the Barisan
Nasional vision of turning the Malaysian nation into a highly-developed "zoo" and to affirm that they want
Malaysia to be "civilised society" where the people enjoy the
fundamental human rights of free speech and peaceful assembly.
I also salute the people of Lumut tonight for unequivocally resolving by a unanimous show of hands to send a clear message to the voters of Ketari to ask them to speak up for all Malaysians to protest against these two undemocratic developments, viz:
The
September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States are being used by the
Barisan Nasional to carry out an even more vicious campaign to suppress the
democratic freedoms and human rights of Malaysians - as in the Fong Po Kuan case
and the blanket ban on ceramahs.
In
the 1999 general elections, the Barisan Alternative was formed by the DAP, PAS,
Parti Keadilan Nasional and PRM for the common goal to restore justice, freedom, democracy and good governance.
These
objectives remain as valid today as ever, as in many areas of justice, freedom,
democracy and good governance, there have been a deterioration instead of
improvement.
Although
the DAP has withdrawn from the BA because of our fundamental differences over
the issue of an Islamic state, we still share the common goals in wanting to see
a more just, freer, more democratic and better governed Malaysia.
In
the circumstances, the time has come for all concerned to consider whether there
could be a format of co-operation
between DAP and BA for the common goal of restoring justice, freedom, democracy
and good governance in Malaysia while respecting our fundamental differences.
(8/3/2002)