DAP's Constitutional Amendments:Represent the Interest of All Malaysians, Generate a New Commitment

(Petaling Jaya, Monday): The DAP Central Executive Committee(CEC) hails the party constitutional amendments, adopted overwhelmingly by party delegates at the DAP National Conference in Federal Hotel yesterday as an important step towards moving DAP forward both in rejuvenating the party’s image which represents the interests of all Malaysians regardless of race or religion and generate a new commitment towards the principles and ideals of the Merdeka Constitution as a force of national unity. The new objects of the party after the amendments yesterday are as follows:

The 1957 Malaysian Constitution is a secular document, instilled with the principles of democracy, freedom, rule of law, and respect of human rights; and imbued with the ideals of accountability, equality, justice and human dignity.

Such principles can be a force of unity and integration not only between our nation’s disparate races, religions and cultures but also between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

By espousing these ideals, Malaysians can move forward where democracy and economic development goes together; where freedom does not mean oppression; where equality of opportunity is preferred to equality of outcome; where rule of law ensures social justice; where wealth creation is accompanied by equitable wealth distribution and where spreading economic prosperity does not breed rampant corruption.

Objects.

1. to strive by parliamentary constitutional means for the establishment of a social democracy in Malaysia;

2. to reaffirm and restore the Malaysian Constitution in its original secular framework as the supreme law of the land which respects democratic values and basic human rights that gives every Malaysian citizen equal and equitable rights.

3. to promote national integration with Sabah & Sarawak, recognize their special rights and infuse a national spirit and unity amongst all races to forge a common identity of a united Malaysian Malaysia;

4. to acknowledge the fundamental right of freedom of religion which encompasses the freedom of the respective religions from being subject to oppressive laws and discriminatory acts;

5. to uphold and affirm Bahasa Malaysia as the national language; and guarantees the obligation duty and right to promote the status, expand, learn and use other mother tongue languages such as Chinese, Tamil, English and native tongues.

6. to establish integrity, ethics, compassion as core moral values to promote transparency as well as a liberal approach, mutual respect and understanding of our diverse cultural traditions and religious beliefs;

7. to advance preserve and protect the sovereignty and integrity of an independent Malaysia;

8. to promote an ASEAN community based on good governance, democracy and respect of human rights to preserve the region as a nuclear free region revolving around peace, freedom and neutrality;

9. to promote expand and enlarge democracy at all levels, particularly restoring local government elections, to give form and substance to people empowerment and participation in decision-making based on the principles of equality, free, fair and independent electoral process as well as freedom of the press;

10. to grant equal opportunity and spread economic prosperity for all premised on value creation in a competitive market and an economic order that places equal emphasis on wealth creation and an equitable wealth distribution;

11. to pledge to improve educational standards based strictly on merits and needs, and provide full access and equal opportunities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, especially knowledge-based IT sectors

12. to protect workers and trade union rights under a framework of a right to work, provide for a fair and decent wage for workers and maintain their real wages to ensure prosperity and a decent standard of living for all.

13. to eliminate all forms of gender bias against women in employment, education and health;

14. to empower youths by giving them choice and access to power whilst instilling in them a sense of duty and responsibility;

15. to secure justice and security for all by upholding the rule of law, establishment and protection of safe neighbourhoods and secure communities;

16. to institutionalise accountability and transparency that checks corruption and financial malpractices as well as establish integrity and trust in governance;

17. to offer affordable, accessible and accountable public health services that guarantees the needs of the sick, infirm and aged; and

18. to prevent further environmental degradation and destruction to preserve our natural heritage that is clean healthy and safe.

The delegates were convinced by the CEC’s explanations that such constitutional amendments were necessary to project the party’s image more positively so that the party can be more effective in our pursuing political equality, economic justice and prosperity for all Malaysians. Based on our sterling political record, Malaysians do not question DAP’s sincerity in seeking political equality, economic justice and prosperity for all.

However, DAP needs to reach out and communicate with the public, especially the young, who wonder whether our political struggle and ideology is adequate for an increasingly selfish and materialistic society. To meet the public’s higher and differing expectations, DAP in celebrating our 40^th Anniversary, has introduced a new theme “Malaysian First” which is a continuation of DAP’s original struggle for a Malaysian Malaysia.

Malaysian First stresses the dual purpose of achieving national unity and economic prosperity amongst all Malaysians. First, national unity should be based not on race or religion but on a common identity centered on democracy, freedom, justice, integrity and human dignity. Secondly the importance of becoming global champions in academic excellence, economic competitiveness, technological merit, knowledge management and environmental protection to ensure economic prosperity that is shared equitably with all Malaysians.

Through “Malaysian First” and the party constitutional amendments, DAP hopes that the public is convinced at the seriousness of our determined efforts in being a Malaysian party articulating all issues for every Malaysian. to achieve political equality, economic justice and prosperity for all. Further the Merdeka Constitution is probably the only vehicle whose ideals and principles can gain the ready acceptance of the various religions and races in the country.

The party has chosen the Merdeka Constitution as a common platform that can unite all races to restore our basic constitutional and human rights deprived by BN. Restoring the Merdeka Constitution would not only restore basic human rights but also abolish laws such as the Internal Security Act, University and University Colleges Act, restore local government elections and respect one-man, one-vote principle by limiting to 15% the variance between electorate.

DAP is also pleased that the amendments were vigorously debated for 3 hours and that delegates were comfortable in openly expressing their reservations and opposition to the amendments. This shows that DAP is a mature democratic party that is open to objections and criticisms.

DAP wishes to reassure any members and supporters who have reservations that DAP will never forsake its principles, ideals and ideology behind the 40 year struggle. The fact that DAP has replaced democratic socialism with social democracy does not affect our socialist orientation as DAP is still a member of the Socialist International(SI). SI’s principles of freedom, justice, equality and solidarity remain core principles. The former ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany is not only a member of SI but held the Presidency of SI despite being called Social Democratic Party.

Democratic socialism has been used interchangeably with social democracy but there is a need to refurbish the party’s centrist-left image by using the term social democracy. That fact that members do not fear to disagree and their full confidence that they will not harshly penalized for expressing opposing views is a testimony to the democratic spirit in the DAP. The DAP CEC will be holding meetings next week to implement the results of this conference, especially “Malaysian First”.