Press Statement by Lim Guan Eng in Goergetown on Tuesday, 14^th April 2009: 

Season greetings to those who celebrate Vaisakhi, Varusha Pirappu and Vishu 

Today is indeed a very special day to many Malaysians especially those from the Indian community. On behalf of the state government I would like to wish you all in this beautiful state of Penang a very happy and blessed Vaisakhi, Varusha Pirappu and Vishu.

Today is the day we celebrate with the Sikh community the sacred day of Vaisakhi, the birth of the khalsa where the great Guru Gobind Singh initiated the pure ones who belong to Waheguru, the Supreme God.

Today is the day we celebrate with the Tamil community the New Year’s Day of Varusha Pirappu, and many Hindus on this day also celebrate the auspices day of Lord Brahma began His creation.

Today is the day we celebrate with the Malayali community the New Year’s Day of Vishu which is also the harvest festival in its land of origin.

Today is the day where all of us should join hands and have a strong resolution that we all want to live together as Malaysians, whether we live in Penang or in any other parts of the country.

The Penang state government has always been there to assist and to aid those in need particularly the poor and the lower income group. This is not mere lip service; we really deliver. And this is what competency, accountability and transparency (CAT) means for us.

Hope and faith are essential if our country is to move forward and leave behind the politics of fear that has hampered nation-building, crippled our country's potential and development.

With our vision of Malaysian First, we must reject those who seek to unite Malaysians by dividing them according to race and religion.

We reject the proposition that to be a Malaysian, one must first be a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban or a Kadazan. We should be Malaysian First - Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh or Hindu second.

This is our common destiny; to achieve and enjoy prosperity together. Let us find hope for a better future by finding inspiration from each other as Malaysians.

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