BarisaWhy I am joining the DAP?

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Media Statement 
by M. Manogaran
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(Petaling Jaya, Saturday) : I have been a proponent of civil society ever since I began practicing as a lawyer 14 years ago. I have been approached by DAP Secretary-General Sdr Lim Guan Eng to strengthen the cause of civil society to guarantee the rights of all Malaysians, particularly those from the marginalized Indian community.  

I fully endorse what Sdr Lim said about establishing a civil society,

“Let us also transform Malaysia into a civil society that is inclusive. We can no longer rely on the traditional government and business sector to fulfill our expectations and needs. To ensure that every ordinary Malaysian is allowed to participate in the democratic and political process some of the elements of civil society must be evident: free association and expression; regulated, but open and market-oriented economies; aid to the poor, orphaned, elderly, sick, or disabled; and finally, civic cultures that cherish diversity and individual freedoms but also respect human needs for community and shared visions of the common good.”

From a non governmental organisation background, I have seen how the Indian community has been marginalized under BN. The Indian community has not benefited and instead lost ground economically, politically and culturally by giving full and undivided support for MIC. 

MIC and BN has failed the Indian community. The time has come for a change by supporting a multi-racial platform like the DAP to pressure the government to pay attention to a community that has long being ignored. When there is a strong opposition only then can the characteristics of democracy such as accountability, transparency and good governance exists. 

For the past 41 years the DAP has a consistently taken a principled position of Malaysian Malaysia seeking political equality and socio-economic justice. The DAP is the only party that has fought for retaining the secular state and the rights of every Malaysian regardless of race and religion. This multi-racial struggle has continued with Malaysian First that stresses on creating economic prosperity by giving equal opportunity to all.  We are all Malaysian First and Chinese, Indians, Malays, Kadazans and Ibans second. 

Together with my friends here who believed in the ideals of the DAP and joined together with me such as prominent human rights lawyer N Surendran, we are proud to be part of the DAP team of Malaysian First.                       

(18/8/2007)