Media Statement by Loke Siew Fook in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday, 24^th February 2009:

Barbarism and racism have no place in Malaysian society

DAPSY is shocked and disgusted by the barbaric tendencies of those who have threatened the life of DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh and Perak State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar.

Karpal was merely stating an intent to exercise a legal right that was made possible by UMNO parliamentarians when they proposed and subsequently voted in 1993 for a constitutional amendment to remove the royalty’s immunity from prosecution.

Forgetting their past deeds, UMNO leaders, members and supporters have retaliated in all forms to demonize Karpal – making counter statements, organizing street demonstrations, making countless police reports, and threatening to charge him with sedition, to name a few.

However, the line has truly been crossed when live bullets and a written death threat was sent to his house last Thursday. This is an absolutely savage attempt to terrorize a fellow human being, and such primitive behaviour has no place in a matured and educated society.

The call by UMNO supporters for the assassination of Sivakumar has once again reminded us of the true nature of UMNO. Such uncivilized thinking is exemplary of the attitude of UMNO hooligans. To them, problems can be solved by making threats and not by civilized dialogue. More importantly, to them, people can be controlled and held ransom through horrifying intimidation.

DAPSY would also like to point out that the threats made to Karpal and Sivakumar are filled with overt racist vocabulary. This has no place in a multiethnic society like ours.

DAPSY is disappointed that UMNO leaders have not only shied away from condemning such unscrupulous behaviour, but have instead put the blame on Pakatan Rakyat for inviting such troubles. Does that mean that UMNO leaders approve of making death threats to people and spouting racist sermons?

DAPSY strongly condemns such acts of barbarism and speeches of racism by the instigators. DAPSY also urges UMNO leaders to stand up and denounce such acts and give a firm commitment to guarantee Karpal and Sivakumar’s safety.

* Loke Siew Fook, DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Chairman & MP for Rasah