Press Statement by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bagan by Lim Guan Eng in Petaling Jaya on
Wednesday, 24th December 2008:
Christmas day message
I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and to share with
all Malaysians that Jesus Christ's message of peace, love and freedom is still dear to my heart.
For me, the spirit of truth, justice, equal opportunity and salvation from sin is not merely an
ideal but something we must strive for.
Having said that, it is sad to note that despite my last year's Christmas message – calling
on the federal government to stop intimidating the Catholic weekly newspaper 'Herald' by
demanding the publication to drop the use of the word "Allah" in its Malay language section – is
still not heeded.
Despite the Federal Constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression and freedom of worship
for all including non-Muslims, the Barisan Nasional government still refused to stop its
suppression of press freedom and people's fundamental human rights.
Despite the Federal Constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression and freedom of worship
for all including non-Muslims, the Barisan Nasional government still refused to stop its
suppression of press freedom and people's fundamental human rights.
This means the Catholic weekly may be closed down as the federal government had indicated
that it is still looking into the matter. If this happens, it will be yet another black
spot in our history.
I call on Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to stop this, based on his own assurance that he would
respect freedom and religious harmony. The Prime Minister has recently said that his "final
mission was to cool racial and religious tensions in this multiethnic country".
If he is really serious about his own pledges, it is time for him to walk the talk. What is
the point of saying that "a shrinking economy and deepening divisions between the majority
Malays and minority Chinese and Indians are the biggest threats facing the country" if he
is not willing to anything serious and tangible about it.
I even agree with Datuk Seri Abdullah that "these are important things that need attention
as race and religion are very sensitive issues and if not managed well, it may raise all
kinds of situations" and I promise I would do everything I can to assist him and other
government leaders in fostering harmony and ensuring rights of every citizen regardless
of race and religion.
As a first step, the Home Ministry must back off from harassing The Herald and other mass
media. With that as a sign of a sincere effort, we may look forward to a better Malaysia.
I believe the spirit of Christmas can guide us in our struggle for political equality, equal
opportunity, socio-economic justice, environmental protection and enhancing human dignity
inherent in the common citizenry of the bangsa Malaysia.
* Lim Guan Eng, DAP
Secretary-General & Penang Chief Minister; Member of Parliament for Bagan
http://dapmalaysia.org