Statement by 
Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong 
on 4.7.2002
in Kuala Lumpur

We urge the Prime Minister to help solve major weaknesses in the country before he leaves the scene

On 22 last month, Dr Mahathir caused a pandemonium when he announced his retirement at the Umno General Assembly. Yesterday, on arriving home from his vacation, he reiterated his retirement next October, paving way for Dato¡¯ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He is happy with the smooth transition of power, hoping that there will not be power struggle for the number- two position. We hope this is so.

"I have already made it very clear that when I leave, I leave completely", he told the media.

Dr Mahathir maintains that Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy. We believe that Peaceful transition of power is one of the bases of democracy.

What the Prime Minister has done in the past 21 years attracts positive and negative responses. For example, the Multimedia Super Corridor is a good thing. But, some of the privatized projects such as MAS, Indah Water Konsortium and PLUS or UEM resulted in failures.

RECTIFICATIONS

Before he vacates his post in October next year, we hope that he can help to rectify the weaknesses. For instance, gerrymander of electoral boundaries, the tendency to use ISA, declaring this country an Islamic State against the constitution, money politics, economic monopoly including the unbridled privatization, abuse of rights and privileges, the educational quota and so forth are weaknesses.

To declare this country an Islamic State in order to counter PAS¡¯s Islamic State is also against the spirit of tolerance in the multi-religious society. Gerrymander and the tendency to use ISA weaken parliamentary democracy. Money politics, monopoly and unbridled privatization affect economic order.

If Dr Mahahtir can help to rectify the above-mentioned weaknesses in the next 16 months, then he would have done a further good thing for Malaysians.