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2007 Chinese New Year Message   
by Lim Kit Siang  
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(Parliament, Friday) : This should be a meaningful and historic Chinese New Year as it coincides with  the 50^th Merdeka Anniversary of the nation and possibly with the 12^th general election.

Let  all Malaysians stand up categorically  in the next general election to be held in the next eight to 14 months for national reforms to make Malaysia a world-class competitive nation with the hallmarks of excellence, meritocracy, accountability, transparency, integrity, democracy and justice for all.

These were  the hopes and expectations of Malaysians in the past three years since the March 2004 general election but they have  not been fulfilled.  In many important areas, there were  not only no new starts, the country had gone backwards.

The world will pass Malaysia by if the country cannot find the political will to change course to create world-class institutions especially  Parliament, judiciary, electoral system, local governance, civil service, police, anti-corruption agency and  universities; inculcate among the government and people a first-class mentality and mindset and produce towering Malaysians and not just leading personalities of one race or community.                                                                     

Wishing all Chinese Malaysians as well as all  Malaysians a Happy Chinese New Year.

(16/2/2007)