Press Statement
by DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka, Kerk Kim Hock
in Petaling Jaya
on Monday, 4.11.2002

Invitation to join BN: The Prime Minister's non-serious invitation does not warrant a serious response


Two days ago, different newspapers have reported differently about the Prime Minister's invitation to other parties to join the Barisan Nasional.

Nanyang Siang Pau has, in its front-page news, reported the Prime Minister's invitation to Parti Keadilan Nasional to dissolve and rejoin Umno.

China Press has also reported the Prime Minister's comments that as the Barisan Alternative is on the decline, Parti Keadilan Nasional should join Umno.

Sin Chew Jit Poh has headlined " Mahathir says Barisan Alternative is already breaking up-----Barisan Nasional invites Opposition parties to join the coalition".

Other newspapers have reported that the Prime Minister has made an invitation to the Opposition parties to join the Barisan Nasional so as to be united to face the country's external threats.

It was clear that the Prime Minister's invitation was mainly targeted at Parti Keadilan Naional as he only included other parties after his speech when he was asked to elaborate by the Press on his invitation issued to Parti Keadilan Nasional.

Hence, the Prime Minister's invitation to other opposition parties is not a serious one which warrants a serious response from the DAP.

Nevertheless, I wish to stress that the DAP's position's has always been that although we are in the Opposition, there are common issues of concern which we are prepared to cooperate with any other parties, whether they are from the government or the Opposition.

It is our belief that there are issues where efforts must be made to forge national consensus and total unity transcending partisan politics .

We have been consistent in what we believe and have made appeals to the government to convene all party conferences to achieve consensus and unity on the issues of terrorism threat and English usage in the primary schools.

Unfortunately, the government, obviously preferring to do things its way, has not responded positively to our calls.