Media statement 
by Ronnie Liu, DAP National Publicity Secretary 
on Wednesday, 2002-06-05 
in Petaling Jaya. 

Stop political persecution against DAP leaders who are determined to restore the 1957 Merdeka Constitution 

The DAP condemns the police for arresting Lim Kit Siang, DAP National Chairman in Ipoh today. Lim was arrested shortly after launching the second leg of the People Awareness Campaign "Say NO to 929" together with the Perak DAP leaders and members this morning. The objective of the campaign is to raise awareness among the Malaysian people on the far-reaching consequences of the September 29 declaration by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad, that Malaysia is already an Islamic State. 

The arrest was wrongful and was seen as a political persecution against DAP leaders, as the police are considering charging Lim under the Sedition Act. It is mind-boggling for the police to turn a rational argument on the preservation of the social contract reached by our forefathers in 1957 to something of seditious in nature.

Our forefathers had proclaimed in the Perisytiharan Merdeka (Declaration of Independence) 44 years ago that we Malaysians (then Malayans) were determined to build a nation ever-seeking for justice, freedom, peace, tolerance, democracy and prosperity. 

The 1957 Constitution has provided a strong and sound basis for the creation of a modern and progressive nation state for all Malaysians. But the ruling party BN under the leadership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad has subsequently rewritten it many times to suit its political agenda, so much 
so that many rights and provisions vital for maintaining justice and freedom for the Malaysian people have been stripped away. 

The 929 declaration made by Mahathir Mohammad further tramples the supreme law of the land by changing the very nature of administration of the country, triggering a journey of no return towards an Islamic State. 

Malysians are urged to stand up and be counted in the struggle of preserving the 1957 Merdeka Constitution, regardless of their religion, race, gender and political affiliation. All of us should work towards restoring the very essence and spirit of the original Constitution. 

Apart from restoring the 1957 Constitution, it would be good for every political party in the country to put their differences aside, and to work out a new social contract by introducing new ideas and reforms to our Constitution. 

We can draw some inspiration and ideas from various international covenants and declarations, such as the United Nations Human Rights Declaration. 

Our neighbouring country, Thailand, has been very successful in drafting a new constitution for their country collectively. The people of Thailand now enjoy much more freedom, justice and democracy then before. 

We owe it to ourselves to create a civil society for Malaysia. It would be a great shame and pity for us to continue to allow some arrogant and self-centred leaders who have overstayed their usefulness to rule and ruin our beloved country. 

We are now inevitably facing all kind of challenges and uncertainties under the impact of globalisation. We do not need an Islamic State or any other form of theocratic state for that matter. We already have a constitution that places Islam as the official religion and allows other religions to be practised freely. What we really need is to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities for our people, and to improve our economy, raising our competitiveness and to reform our political, social and judicial systems so that we can continue to progress and compete in a New World.

Many Malaysians are now living in a state of fears and uncertainties. Many are contemplating migration for the sake of their children. We must quickly resolve the Islamic State controversy and quickly get on with our job. No controversy or differences can be bigger than the interest of our people. Any attempt to jettison the 1957 Constitution will only result in causing splits among the people and may even bring chaos to our plural society.

Let us say a big NO to 929 and an even bigger YES to 1957. For the sake of our people. For the sake of our future generations.