Media statement by Lim Kit Siang in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 24^th May 2012: 

Utusan Malaysia just produced latest proof that UMNO/BN totally against clean, free and fair elections, especially Bersih 2.0’s Demand to “Stop Dirty Politics”

The UMNO daily, Utusan Malaysia, has just produced the latest proof that UMNO/BN is totally against clean, free and fair elections, especially Bersih 2.0’s Demand to “Stop Dirty Politics”.

As I tweeted earlier this morning: “When DAP appears on Utusan Malaysia front-page, it is bad news/political trouble because distortion n unethical/dishonest journalism at play”.

DAP appeared on the Utusan Malaysia front-page today, with the headline “Karpal perjuangkan PM bukan Melayu”, quoting DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh as saying:

“Selagi saya hidup, saya akan berjuang untuk melihat seorang bukan Melayu menjadi Perdana Menteri”.

This “life-time” quote was a total distortion of what Karpal told the Utusan Malaysia reporter as he had only referred to the Malaysian Constitution which provides that the office of Prime Minister is open to all Malaysian citizens.

It is most irresponsible and unethical for Utusan Malaysia to try to concoct a non-existing issue and extract political mileage by falsely claiming that the agenda of Karpal and DAP is to appoint a non-Malay Prime Minister, which will fit into the scare-mongering campaigning conducted by irresponsible and unprincipled leaders – like the canard by former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir last week that if UMNO is defeated in the next general elections, the Malays will lose political power in Malaysia.

The Constitution is very clear that the office of Prime Minister is open to any Malaysian citizen, regardless of race, religion or region, but we accept the political realities that during Karpal and my lifetime, it will be a Malay and not a non-Malay who will be the country’s Prime Minister.

Is the Prime Minister and UMNO President, Datuk Seri Najib Razak prepared to co-operate with Pakatan Rakyat to ensure that Malaysians will not see the dirtiest campaign in the nation’s history – both in the run-up as well as during the campaign proper for the 13th general elections?

Is he prepared to call off the “dirtiest” campaign of lies and falsehoods against Pakatan Rakyat leaders to restore a minimum of decency and civility in Malaysian politics and public life?

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary Leader & MP for Ipoh Timor