Eve-of-polling Statement by Lim Kit Siang in Penang on Monday, 24^th August 2009: 

Five reasons why voters of Permatang Pasir must vote for PAS/PR candidate Hassan Man and reject Umno/BN candidate Rohaizat Othman

There are five important reasons why the 20,290 voters of Permatang Pasir, regardless of race or religion, should vote for the Pas/Pakatan Rakyat candidate Mohd Salleh Man and reject the Umno/Barisan Nasional candidate Rohaizat Othman in the by-election polling tomorrow.

They are:

• Firstly, declare what all Malaysians know but no Umno, MCA, Gerakan, MIC or Barisan Nasional component party Minister or leader dare to say – that Rohaizat is not fit to be candidate for any elective office because of his being struck off the lawyers’ rolls under the Legal Profession Act for breach of trust, dishonesty and unprofessional conduct “unbefitting” a lawyer which “brings the legal profession into disrepute”. The media conference statement by his former law firm partner, Yusri Isahak, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday has done nothing to cleanse his “tainted” reputation or made academic the question: “How can a person not honest enough to be a lawyer be trusted to be a candidate for elective office, let alone to be elected as a State Assemblyman.

• Secondly, demonstrate that public shock and dismay over the mysterious death of Teoh Beng Hock at MACC Headquarters on July 16, 2009 are the response of all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, as it concerns the value of a human life and public confidence in the efficiency, commitment, independence, integrity and professionalism of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to declare war on corruption instead of declaring war on Pakatan Rakyat;

• Thirdly, articulate the concerns of all right-thinking Malaysians across the race, religion and political divide for a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the causes and circumstances of the mysterious death of Teoh at the MACC precincts, which can only be done through a Royal Commission of Inquiry and not a mere inquest – and public concerns about Teoh’s death and the MACC have been further underlined by the appearance of a mysterious letter purportedly written by MACC officers containing serious allegations including collusion between a Barisan Nasional leader and a top ranking Selangor MACC officer;

• Fourthly, expose the hypocrisy of the Barisan Nasional by-election theme of “Anak Emas” for Permatang Pasir when the only “Anak Emas” is none other than Rohaisat Othman and to demand fair, just and progressive national policies by the Barisan Nasional Federal Government for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or territory, to be treated as “Anak Emas” of the country.

• Fifthly, give true meaning to the 1Malaysia slogan of Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the 52nd National Day theme on August 31 by deploring in the strongest possible terms the divisive, irresponsible and dangerous politics of double-speak and lies exploiting the race and religious cards to polarize Malaysians by playing a different tune to different voter ethnic groups – as alleging that Parliamentary Opposition Leader and PKR chief, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is “a traitor to the Malay race” and that PAS has sold out Islam to DAP for the Malay audience while accusing DAP of being a stooge of PAS among the Chinese electorate.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary leader & MP for Ipoh Timor