Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, 9^th February 2011: 

What difference is BN from Perkasa when Perkasa can censor key provisions in the New Economic Model (NEM) such as establishing an equal opportunities commission and a performance-based system? 

National Economic Advisory Council member Zainal Aznam Mohd Yusof revelations that Perkasa can censor key provisions in the NEM's such as proposing an equal opportunities commission, political reforms and a performance-based system. Speaking yesterday at a forum in Kuala Lumpur, Zainal Aznam added that listening to Perkasa meant that the cabinet had failed the test on reforms.

He added that "This was the government's litmus test and at this time, I have to say that there is no political will." What difference is BN from Perkasa when Perkasa can exercise such strong influence to completely sabotage the NEM?

Zainal also said that the appointment of former Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad as Felda chairperson sends the wrong signals in reference to Mohd Isa's track record of graft. UMNO had barred Isa from contesting in the UMNO elections in 2005 for being involved in money politics. Former Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir also criticized the worsening state of corruption in Malaysia in the same forum.

The failure to act and resolve several corruption scandals involving MIC such as the MAIKA scandal, MCA's Port Klang Free Trade Zone scandal and UMNO's RM52 billion bumi shares scandal that "disappeared" instead of being given to poor Malays/bumis. Worse, is the biggest scandal reported by the US-based financial watchdog Global Financial integrity (GFI) that illegal money outflows from Malaysia for the period 2000-2008 topped US$291 billion or RM888 billion!

RM888 billion in only 9 years is a huge sum by any measure, and more than four times our 2011 National Budget. If RM888 billion was given to 27 million Malaysians, each man woman and child would receive nearly 33,000/- each over 9 years. The refusal of BN to come clean will not only cause greater losses in the future, there is a possibility that the country may even go bankrupt by 2019 as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala had warned.

The failure by these so-called independent groups such as Perkasa to demand stern action against corruption only proves that they are supporting BN to prevent any changes that will threaten the politics of patronage and cronyism. By supporting Perkasa's successful sabotage of the NEM, UMNO and BN has shown once again that 1Malaysia is an empty slogan that will not embrace the future with hope but serve to withdraw us into the past with fears and threats.

*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary General & MP for Bagan