Message

by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): Thaipusam should be declared a national holiday as a sign of respect for Hindus and for all Malaysians to mark the occasion of good triumphing over evil. Thaipusam should be celebrated as a Malaysian occasion as it is celebrated on such a large scale. DAP regrets that the BN government has still refused to accord recognition to Thaipusam.

On a day of fasting and prayers, DAP reminds devotees celebrating not to forget the unfortunate, such as the war victims in Sri Lanka. No language is adequate to describe our revulsion and sorrow at the images of death, injury and destruction. However we must not remain speechless in the face of such violence and remember the innocent war victims, regardless of race and religion.

We should not forget that the Tamil war victims are the most deprived in not receiving aid and assistance to alleviate their sufferings. DAP condemns the Sri Lankan government for withholding or blocking aid to war victims of Tamil origin. We want the Tamil war victims to know that we care for their sufferings, especially innocent children.

We urge the Malaysian Foreign Ministry to condemn such violence and atrocities by Sri Lankan troops. Let us all pray for vidithulai (freedom) and aamathi (peace)!