Malaysian First to unify Malaysians so that we can focus on forging a culture of excellence that offers equal opportunity, economic security, good and clean governance as well as a morally caring society safe from crime

2007 New Year Message

by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Sunday): All Malaysians should adopt Malaysian First as a vehicle that not only unifies Malaysians but allows us to focus on forging a culture of excellence that offers equal opportunity, economic security, good and clean governance as well as a morally caring society safe from crime.

2006 is seen as a loss to Malaysians as a result of the flood disaster severely disrupting the lives of ordinary Malaysians, more so when the losses are made heavier by the inefficieny, ineffectiveness, incompetence and even failure of rescue services and relief work. If not for voluntary organizations, the sufferings of the people would have multiplied manifold and more lives loss than the 12 deaths to floods. Good governance is not only about efficiency and effectiveness, it is also about integrity and accountability

For this reason, the government must address these failures and ask why 900,000 civil servants still can not deliver good and clean governance. Complaints and police reports of soldiers demanding RM 250 payment to flood victims to be rescued from rising flood waters is most reprehensible and a sign of worsening corruption in Malaysia. Malaysia’s ranking in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index dropped from No. 39 in 2005 to No. 44 in 2006.

DAP calls on all Malaysians to think “Malaysian First” where our disparate races of diverse religions can unite on a common identity as Malaysians born and living together sharing the values of democracy, freedom, justice, integrity and human dignity. Such national unity should deliver economic prosperity and security to all Malaysians in a fair and equitable manner. Malaysian First should allow all Malaysians to share the great Malaysian Dream by offering every one equal opportunity to succeed and enjoy the fruits of their labours.

The rising crime rate that rose by an alarming 12.6% over the first nine months this year, can be checked by abolishing police abuses and increasing police efficiency through the immediate implementation of the 125 recommendations of the Royal Commission of Police Misonduct(IPCMC). Every citizen has the basic right to expect the streets in Malaysia to be safe to walk, work and live, especially for women and children

However the main priority for ordinary Malaysians would be economic security and enjoying equal opportunity. High inflation and the failure of economic growth to be enjoyed by all have caused hardship to Malaysians, especially the poor, workers and small-time businessmen. Fuel price, water rates, electricity tarriffs, quit rent, assessment and toll rates have continued to rise despite the failure of salaries to rise.

Such economic hardship has only serve to highlight how unequal our society is when the poor carries the burden of such price increases. The United Nations Human Development Report continues to show that Malaysia has the worst income disparity between the rich and poor in South-East Asia where the richest 10% of the population controls 38.4% of income whereas the poorest 10% controls only 1.7%.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has refused to extend his assurances of no fuel, water and electricity price increases to the year 2007. Such failure to reduce fuel prices as Singapore as done due to the falling international price of oil, has caused grave concern that there will be another round of fuel price increases.

DAP urges the Prime Minister to give the best 2007 New Year gift to Malaysians with the assurance that there shall be no price increases in fuel, electricity and water rates but instead expect price reductions in tandem with falling international price of oil.