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DAP Will Pursue The Malaysian Malaysia Agenda And Not Be Distracted By Racist UMNO Politicians So Bankrupt Of Ideas That They Still Resort To Exploit The May 13 Riots To Frighten Malaysians

Press Statement by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Sunday): DAP will continue to pursue the Malaysian Malaysia agenda and not be distracted by racist UMNO politicians so bankrupt of ideas that they still resort to exploiting the May 13 riots to frighten Malaysians. DAP will not submit to threats in our struggle to fight for democracy, equal opportunities and justice for all Malaysians.

At a time when Malaysians must unite to face the challenges of globalisation, it is sad to see UMNO leaders like UMNO Deputy Permanent Chairman and MP for Jerai Badruldin Amiruldin waving a book on the 1969 May 13 racial riots to threaten and warn the non-Malay community. It is UMNO racists like Badruldin that refuse to accept non-Malays as Malaysian citizens but yet seek their votes during the general elections.

DAP condemns such threats by bankrupt UMNO politicians because it seeks to create a crisis of chauvinist violence when there is none in Malaysia. There are disagreements between ruling and opposition parties but the RTM 1 premier debates series have shown that such disagreements can be argued rationally by using reason not emotion on national television.

DAP challenges MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Gerakan President Datuk Dr Lim Keng Yaik and MIC President Datuk S. Samy Vellu to disavow their parties from such extremist and threatening speech. Should both MCA, Gerakan and MIC fail to do so, they are not just failing in their duty to their own communities but also dishonour BN spirit of consensus and consultation in all decision-making. MCA, Gerakan and MIC must clearly demonstrate their disassociation from such an extremist speech.

Despite such threats from Badruldin and UMNO Youth EXCO members, DAP will not be deterred from our principles for a national identity based not on the narrow confines of race but on our common love for our country and willingness to help other Malaysians regardless of race and religion. Bangsa, Agama dan Negara must not refer to one race or one religion but to all Malaysians and all religions. DAP believes that ordinary Malaysians can show UMNO racists like Badruldin that he is wrong and that issues such as our love for justice for all and our hatred of corruption can indeed unite us.

(26/9/2004)

* Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General