Media Statement
by Perak DAP Chairman, Ngeh Koo Ham
on 10th June 2002
in Ipoh
The Perak DAP would like YB Thong Fah Chong to know that commending himself as serving the people by merely sitting in a coffee shop and describing Lim Kit Siang and other DAP leaders as not serving the people is most shameful and despicable.
On 5/6/2002, YB Thong Fah Chong was sitting at a table at a coffee shop at Pasir Pinji when the 'No to 929' campaign was launched.
The whole campaign was over when the police came and threaten one DAP member who was still distributing the 'No to 929' leaflets that she is not allowed to distribute the leaflets. Mr Lim Kit Siang who was then having his breakfast heard of the threat went to the police to ask on what basis the threat was made. He was informed by the police that a permit is required under the Sedition Act for distributing the leaflets. Mr Lim Kit Siang then informed the police that there is no such provision under the Sedition Act and that the police may not stop the distribution of the leaflets. It was for that 'challenge' that Mr Lim Kit Siang was arrested. Mr Lim Kit Siang was defending the people right to freedom of movement and freedom of dissemination of information and objected the arbitrary manner in which the police acted. How can YB Thong Fah Chong described Lim Kit Siang as intentionally challenging the police in order to become a hero ?
Mr Lim Kit Siang and DAP leaders have not committed any offence under the law. Until today the police is still uncertain what offence Mr Lim Kit Siang has committed. It was the police who have committed wrongfully trespass to person, arrest and detention against Mr Lim Kit Siang.
YB Thong Fah Chong is a MP without a backbone and is not even familiar of the basic human rights that every Malaysian is entitled too. How can be expected him to defend our citizen ship rights. The services that boasts can easily be done by a clerk or a local councillar. The campaign against the establishment of an Islamic State is of such crucial importance as it will affect every aspect of our lives. If YB Thong Fah Chong can view it so lightly, it is important that the people removed him as their elected representatives in the next general election.
I have been informed that it was YB Thong Fah Chong who called the police on the fateful morning when Mr Lim Kit Siang was arrested. The police arrived only after the campaign has ended. Perak DAP challenges YB Thong Fah Chong to publicly declare if he was the person who called the police on 5/6/2002 and persecuted the DAP.