Easter Message by Lim Guan Eng in Petaling Jaya on Saturday, 11^th April 2009: 

The spirit of Easter should also be reflected in “1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now”  

I would like to wish a joyous and blessed Easter to all Malaysians, especially our Christian brothers and sisters who are celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

To Christians, Easter is Jesus Christ’s victory over death, symbolising the eternal life that is offered to those who believe in Him. It is a proof that Jesus is the Son of God who has conquered death once and for all, and therefore gained salvation for all humanity.

I share the good values of Easter, especially in my commitment to do the right thing and rejection of wrongdoing. As I have many times mentioned to my Muslim friends that I aspire to observe the practice of amar makruf nahi mungkar, it is with the same commitment that I am willing to do my best in caring and sharing, and in making greater contribution to better living for all.

In this beautiful country we call home, we share many values together and we should not deprive ourselves from caring and sharing, knowing full well we need one another to ensure peace and stability.

Easter is also about hope and reconciliation, which I wish to see all Malaysians regardless of beliefs and ethnicity would strive for a deeper and more profound meaning of muhibah, understanding and love.

Since this is also the first Easter celebration under the new premiership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, I wish our new prime minister would commit himself to working towards achieving a true Bangsa Malaysia in words and deeds. Malaysians hope a fresh start by banning racially based political parties which can begin by opening UMNO to all Malaysians not just Malays - that would give meaning to the Prime Minister's concept of "1 Malaysia".

The spirit of Easter should also be reflected in the government’s aim to make “1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” by ensuring that any sacrifice by Malaysians of all races and religions must be well respected and should never be in vain.

Even though it may not be deep in spiritual meaning, for true worldly salvation it is only fair for the government to abolish draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses & Publications Act, as this would lead to a new beginning of building an independent press, establish freedom of information and build a democracy responsive to the people’s needs.

It may also be the beginning of a society that respects one another, without any unnecessary fear. Just as democracy must co-exist with development, so must there be power with accountability. For this reason calling for fresh elections to solve the political impasse in Perak will represent a revival of democracy by giving life to democracy.

* Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General & Penang Chief Minister; Member of Parliament for Bagan