Media statement by Lim Kit Siang in Parliament on Wednesday, 20^th June 2012: 

Is Najib saying he is not prepared to accept the verdict of the electorate or ensure a peaceful transition of government if PR wins the next ge?

Threats! Threats! More Threats!

Is this all that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak could think of to ensure that UMNO/Barisan Nasional wins the next general election with him firmly in the saddle as the Prime Minister?

Najib’s speech when opening the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCIM) 66th annual general meeting this morning reminds Malaysians of his infamous “fire and brimstone” presidential address at the UMNO General Assembly in October 2010.

When Najib warned the Chinese business community this morning that their assets and wealth may “evaporate” unless there is “political certainty and stability”, Malaysians are immediately reminded of his “crushed bodies, lives lost” speech at the UMNO General Assembly in October 201 vowing that Umno would defend power at any cost in Putrajaya.

Let Najib fully explain himself – is he threatening that if UMNO/Barisan Nasional loses Putrajaya in the next general election, the “assets and wealth” of the Chinese business community could “decline and even evaporate” and is this because of his “crushed bodies, lives lost” vow that UMNO would defend power at any cost in Putrajaya?

Recently, Malaysians are beginning to hear statements from UMNO leaders though not from the highest levels like the UMNO President and Deputy President giving assurances that there would be a peaceful transition of government if Pakatan Rakyat wins the next general election as UMNO and BN would respect the wishes of the people expressed though the ballot box in the next general election.

Najib’s return to the language of threats and fear has immediately raised the question as to the real weight and worth of the assurances by these low-level UMNO leaders that UMNO/BN would ensure a peaceful transition of government if Pakatan Rakyat wins the next general election.

Najib should explain why the defeat of UMNO/BN in the next general election should lead to a situation where the “assets and wealth” of the Chinese business community may “evaporate”, if UMNO/BN are committed to accept the verdict of the electorate in the 13th general election and ensure a peaceful transition of government if Pakatan Rakyat wins the next general election?

Or is Najib telling the nation and the world that he would not accept the verdict of the electorate in the 13th general election which is in favour of Pakatan Rakyat and that he is not prepared to make a public commitment on behalf of UMNO/BN to ensure a peaceful transition of government if PR wins the next general election?

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