Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang in Petaling Jaya on Thursday, 15^th October 2009: 

Are Najib, Muhyiddin and Umno leaders prepared to pledge that they are “Malaysian first, Malay second” in keeping with the 1Malaysia slogan?

The 1Malaysia logo dominated the Umno General Assembly and 1Malaysia is clearly the fad of the day in the speeches of the Umno President, Umno Deputy President and the leaders of Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno.

But are all the Umno leaders, including the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin really serious and fully committed to the 1Malaysia slogan as the overarching national philosophy in nation-building?

Without having to go into details, the first test of whether Najib, Muhyiddin and the Umno leaders are serious about 1Malaysia policy is whether they are prepared to set the example of being “Malaysian first, Malay second” for everyone to be Malaysian first and Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Iban second?

Although the proof of the pudding is in the eating, there is no need to get to the eating stage even.

Are Najib and all the Umno leaders prepared to make a public commitment that in keeping with the 1Malaysia motto, they pledge to be “Malaysian first, Malay second” just as all Malaysians should pledge to be Malaysian first and Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Iban second?

Can we get to this pledge stage of a 1Malaysia slogan?

I have grave doubts.

I for one pledge to be “Malaysian first, Chinese second”. Let every Minister, Deputy Minister and MP declare in the forthcoming Parliament that he or she is Malaysian first and Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Iban second!

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