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ARCHIVES ARCHIVES 2007 2008 New Year Message By DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng

2008 New Year Message By DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng


Tuesday, 01 January 2008
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Making 2008 The Year Of Good Governance - Free Malaysia From Fear Of Democracy, Justice And Truth To Be Replaced With The Politics Of Hope That Allows Us To Share Equally In The Burdens Of Our Duties As In The Fruits Of Our Labours.

DAP urges every Malaysian to commit themselves to make 2008 the year of good governance. To achieve good governance we must free Malaysia from fear of democracy, fear of justice and fear of truth to be replaced with the politics of hope that trusts in the wisdom of the people, keeps faith with our common moral values and uplifts human dignity by allowing us to share equally in the burdens of our duties as in the fruits of our labours.

2007 has been the year where Malaysians were let down by the promises made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Despite promises of greater openness and freedoms, we live in a police state filled with fear. Malaysians exercising their fundamental right of freedom of assembly, speech and even religious beliefs have been arrested and detained without trial or placed under “supervised custody for rehabilitation”.

Despite wanting to hear the truth, those who speak the truth are being punished whilst the corrupt are being promoted. One MIC Deputy Minister, one MCA Deputy Minister and a Gerakan Youth Vice-President was punished for speaking the truth against UMNO but when UMNO threatened non-Malays by waving the kris or asking the non-Malays to go back to India or China, they escaped punishment.

Despite promises of respect for rule of law and justice, the government refused to establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) recommended by a Royal Commission of Inquiry to reduce rampant crime and check abuses of power, misconduct and corruption in the police force. Instead of punishing policemen who shot and injured peaceful, law abiding people, those shot by police were charged for attempted murder.

Despite promises of combating corruption, Malaysia’s ranking under the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index has deteriorated from No. 37 when Abdullah took over as Prime Minster in 2003 to No.44 this year.  No action has been taken against Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros for his extraordinary wealth and luxury mansion. There are double standards when charges instituted by the Companies Commission (CC) against Zakaria have been withdrawn whilst the CC pursues similar charges against CTOS Sdn Bhd who embarrassed the government by disclosing the truth about BN leaders’ poor financial standing and record.

The Elections Commission fails to ensure clean, free and fair election by operating under the directive of BN. The EC has refused independent foreign poll monitors, manipulated electoral rolls as well as ignored abuses of money politics, complete control of mass media by BN and permitting the violation of one-man one vote where the government,  controls 91% of the parliamentary seats despite winning 60% of the popular vote.

Clearly the government fears justice, truth and democracy because it will ignite hopes for good governance and better future for all. The refusal to rely on the politics of hope that trusts in the people’s wisdom by permitting them to participate in the decision-making process or refusal to keep faith in common moral values by continuing to support UMNO candidates that humiliate, insult and denigrate women, disabled and minorities or refusal to uplift human dignity by treating all Malaysians as equal citizens and not first, second, third or even fourth class citizens.

A core element of politics of hope is sharing equally in the burdens of our duties as in the fruits of our labours. Malaysia has the worst income inequality between the rich and poor in South East Asia. The Ninth Malaysian Plan admits that the income disparity has worsened with the richest 20% controlling 51.2% of the nation’s wealth whereas the poorest 40% controlling only 13.5% in 2004 from 50% and 14.5% respectively in 1990.

The government has chosen to ignore the economic hardships faced by the people caused by rising inflation with lies that inflation rate is only 2% this year when it is running at more than 20% or that the country will go bankrupt by using the RM 70 billion annual profits from Petronas. Fuel subsidies cost the country around RM 32 billion in 2006 and as much as RM 40 billion annually this year or next year if the international price of oil reaches US$100 per barrel.

Savings from fuel subsidies should be transferred to low and middle-income earners in the form of cash grants. DAP had suggested that those earning less than RM 3,000 per month be given an annual grant of RM 3,000 and families with a combined income of RM 6,000 per month be given RM6,000 annually. Such a scheme would cost between RM 30-40 billion, the same amount of fuel subsidies spent.

Only by reducing the financial burdens of rising inflation faced by working families, can the government be responsible in economic management and good governance that increases the welfare and benefit of the poor, not just the rich. When the poor and the middle class comprising 80% of the population has a stake in our country’s future that shares in the benefits equally with the costs of economic development, then only is there hope that 2008 will be a better year for all.

LIM GUAN ENG


Comments (13)Add Comment
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written by asguard, January 02, 2008 00:49:40
DAP has done its job by being watch dog for the people in many ways...even some of it doings are not wider reported in press... some how have managed to help people. I see that DAP will continued to shine in 2008 and years to come.
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written by Nautilus, January 01, 2008 08:04:00

DAP should make more effort to change its "Chinese Opposition Party" image by inviting and recruiting more good leaders and members from others races esp the Malays.
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written by surgeffect, December 31, 2007 21:33:13
I do support the struggle of the alternative parties, however, even if I am not well educated in Economics, I think I still do have a nose to sniff out over-simplistic ideas. This proposition seems to be too much of a utopian idea without thinking everything out and discussing it from every possible angle and problems that may arise from it. With one right, usually one wrong may occur. It's the common nature of balance. It's just how we play out these balances to achieve the correct and common interests while allowing only the minimal negative aspects to run alongside.

Then again, if i may add my few cents worth, if one is to look from the angle of a DAP member, or any other alternative party member (i'm not referring to the alternative alliance by the way as DAP is already out of it when i mention the word alternative, so please don't start harassing me on that) , one has too little reason to spend time and money to conduct massive research on the economy to come out with a perfect concept or proposal as there is no clear avenue that would lead any of them to a major victory in the coming elections as we know, everything is quite rigged no matter what kind of ballot box they may use. This proposal, on the other hand, could be a stepping stone for those who have the know-how and time to comment upon and improve by giving new proposals and good reasons for doing so, while still allowing more fresh new ideas to add upon it. Sadly, without enough attention, all these ideas based upon nationalism, may end up being impressive "coffee-shop talk".
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written by Saint, December 31, 2007 15:07:43
Even if the alternate parties win, it is going to be difficult to rule the country, because UMNO has made Malaysia terminally ill. There is not much room for healthy dissection. And most unfortunately it is the Malays who are going to suffer the most, as most of them have forgotten what hardship is all about. UMNO has not only let down the other races but also their own.
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written by evilbunny, December 31, 2007 14:25:00
good luck... i will leave after the elections, if d results is for d better then i might be back if not... then byee..
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written by Sunnysoul5, December 31, 2007 14:16:53
Are we prepared to pay GBP 1 per litre of petrol by foregoing the subsidies? This is equivalent to RM7.2 per litre. This can have serious impact on the automotive industries especially PROTON.

Giving out cash grant can create expectation of hand-outs and people may become lazy.

We need more wholistic strategic development plans for the macro and micro economy. The mega projects are not likely to help in the long term wealth generation to a large extent. The super corridors and whatever corridors are likely to end up as one-off mega projects or very often plain white elephants.

The human capital is crucial in a situation where the natural resources are likely to deplete over time. This is not equivalent to issueing degrees, MBA's and Ph.D.'s in quantity rather than paying attention to the quality of the recipients. Singapore has transformed well because of the massive efforts in nurturing and developing human capital domestically or through large scale import of talents.

Oil is a hot topic now that we are still producing it. Sooner or later people need better public transport in order to have less reliance on a car to move around.

Empowering the poeple and let people engage in forums and discussions as well as allowing openness and transparency can help to transform the closed conservative and narrow-minded political system inherent in most of the political parties today. Liberalise the members and people, so that more views, opinions, and feedback can be collated or diagnosed for better strategic formulation and tactical implementation.

Anyway, happy new year to all Malaysians.
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written by AsamLaksa, December 31, 2007 13:36:31
I have some concerns with the policies recommended in this New Year message.

What further basis do you have to support removal of the fuel subsidies? It would have an overwhelming effect not just in terms of cash but on the whole economy of the country. It risk increasing inflation and thus create more poverty. You also did not specify the need to create/introduce measures to reduce reliance on petroleum. If you intend to cut subsidies, other measures need to be introduced to reduce the effect of it. In the long run reducing subsidies will mean little if the price just keep going up.

Giving out cash grants holds little water. It may further increase inflation which would not benefit the ones receiving the cash while making it harder for those above your ceiling but not too affluent to suffer as well. I am all for eradication of poverty but this plan sounds like it targets DAP's demographics of supporters from the middle and lower classes. It is sadly not a good long term plan and one difficult to change once it's been implemented. I would rather see more investment on education and job oppurtunities for the poor to alleviate themselves.

Economy-wise, Malaysia's role as a producing nation will not last forever with countries like China and India leading. What are DAP's long term view on this? What would Malaysia's economy be based on next? It's only a matter of time before Malaysia becomes a net importer like most developed countries. Tourism is one avenue but to keep that we need to preserve the natural resources at hand and improve the quality of the environment and services available. We should also invest more in arts and culture so that even if we can't sell much latex gloves in the future, you can still sell rubber murals as art pieces and attract visitors to rubber art galleries (just an example).

Have a Happy New Year everyone.
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written by Bigjoe99, December 31, 2007 12:47:45
Someone sent our health minister a different kind of new year greeting. The only New Year greeting he is getting would be his wife beating his head in.

http://bytemuncher.b******t.com/2007/12/chua-soi-lek-sex-scandal-karmas-bitch.html
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written by indianputra, December 31, 2007 12:22:54
One MIC Deputy Minister, one MCA Deputy Minister and a Gerakan Youth Vice-President was punished for speaking the truth against UMNO but when UMNO threatened non-Malays by waving the kris or asking the non-Malays to go back to India or China, they escaped punishment.
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Who the hell are these imbeciles threatening non-Malays? Don't they know WE VOTED THEM IN and we can VOTE THEM OUT?? Is truth so difficult to swallow for these idiots? Truth is Truth and must be accepted even if it is reveal the stupid governance..

We non-Malays must stand together and tell these fools that we CANNOT be threatened. We are ALSO Malaysian citizens witn equal rights. The only way to tell them is to DEFEAT Pak Lah, Najib, Samy, Nazri and other goons who are in cahoot to create fear amongst non-Malays.
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written by densemy, December 31, 2007 12:08:42
Come on DAP... show some initiative and some imagination. And how about having a positive outlook instead of carping on about how dreadful is the present government. We want to hear about your plans for the future

... and giving handouts to poor people is a typically BN empty exercise to buy votes... and it will achieve nothing

You have a country that is almost totally F**ked by bad governance... surely you can do better than the above
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written by tom73my, December 31, 2007 11:34:00
The ones making the laws are corrupt (remember close one eye), the ones implementing the laws are corrupt (remember Istana Zakaria, auditor's report), the ones enforcing the laws are corrupt (remember Top police and ACA officers), and the one intepreting the laws are corrupt (correct, correct, correct). What else is clean in Malaysia I wonder?

AAB, you have done nothing other than sleeping (with Jeanne). I really regret voting for you in 2004. I will make sure all my family members do not vote for BN come next GE. That's my new year resolution. Peace.
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written by malsia1206, December 31, 2007 11:12:36
In Malaysia both the State and Federal Governments are stamping on religious issues and rights enshrined under the Constitution. So if these Governments play ball the hard and autocratic way, the rakyat has evry right to seek redress in the Courts. Remember their exclisive proprietory claim to the word 'Allah'? Now it's this Statute issue. Malaysian authorities think their national religion surpass all and sundry and their interpretation makes the whole entire country subsevient to their whims and fancies. Alas, not the whole entire population in Malaysia are Muslims. Or maybe they thought so. What a disgrace to these people who are no better than the extremists themselves. Or so they think they can blow up all the biggest Buddha statutes like what the Taliban did in Afghanistan? Or other religious structures? Hey, is this what your religion is all about?
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written by Shyetan, December 31, 2007 10:38:04
Why not just propose tax the top 20% more heavily? Increase the tax rate for the top 20% and reduce the tax rate for the rest

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