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Next general election: Malaysians must speak up to ensure that Malaysia shall forever remain a democratic and secular nation, with Islam as the official religion but not an Islamic State Speech - Opening of the DAP Federal Territory State Convention by Kerk Kim Hock (Kuala Lumpur, Sunday): 22 years ago when Dr Mahathir Mohamad became the nation’s fourth Prime Minister, he had seized the oppourtunity of the people’s by coming out with the Clean, Efficient And Trustworthy slogan. Although such slogan had since long been forgotten, Dr Mahathir ‘s political shrewdness had successfully raised hopes and expectations among the people and helped Barisan Nasional to score its big victory in the 1982 general election. Likewise, when Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi takes office as the nation’s fifth Prime Minister on November 1, he will exploit the hopes of the promise of a new leadership for an efficient and trustworthy government by using some new slogans and concepts.
This therefore means that in all probability, the next general election will be held in March next year as Abdullah will definitely need at least three months to build up his new mage and bring about new hopes of his new premiership before he goes to the polls to seek the people’s mandate.
The DAP and our supporters must never underestimate the electoral impact of such a “ New Image card” which will be Abdullah’s greatest draw.
We will also face the three Barisan Nasional ’s trump cards, namely the “ Terror Card." , the “ Religious Card ” and the " Gratitude Card”.
The Terror card was employed by the Barisan Nasional in the last two by elections and the Sarawak State Election by exploiting the general sense of fear and feeling of uncertainty of the people after the September 11 carnage in America.
In the coming general election, the Barisan Nasional, especially the MCA and Gerakan, will also try to make the voters believe that their choice will be to choose between the Islamic State ala UMNO or Islamic State ala Pas.
Barisan Nasional will of course play the gratitude card by urging voters to vote the Barisan Nasional to say thanks to Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his contribution to the nation.
For the DAP, the next general election will be a crucial and critical battle for the people to speak up and protect the 46 year fundamental constitutional principle and nation building cornerstone that Malaysia is a democratic and secular nation with Islam as the official religion but not an Islamic State.
The next general election is not merely about the DAP ‘s victory or defeat in an election, but it is an electoral battle that will decide the nation building cornerstone and future direction of our nation building process.
The next election must therefore see the return of a strong DAP representation in both he Parliament and State Assemblies.
DAP leaders must therefore all gear up for the great battle – The Battle of the Future of Malaysia.
2. Seat Negotiation with Parti Keadilan Nasional -- DAP reiterates our positions
In the wake of the continued media reports over the DAP’s decision on 5. 8.2003 to suspend the seat negotiation with Parti Keadilan Nasional, let me reiterate the DAP’s positions:
DAP is committed to one to one fights against the Barisan Nasional in the next general election so as to avoid the split of votes among the Opposition parties
In the seat negotiation process, there must be bond fide on both sides
DAP is prepared to resume seat talks if our two concerns already expressed to the President of Parti Keadilan Nasional are addressed, namely,
- the persistent leaking out of negotiation details and public negative comments by PKN leaders - the unwarranted and unjustified public criticisms against and attacks on the DAP arising from disagreement at the negotiation meetings.
3. Main Criteria for DAP Candidate Selection
Among the criteria to be used by the DAP national leadership in selecting candidates for the next general election, emphasis will be placed on the following key criteria:
Dedication – candidates must be totally committed to serve the Party’s cause Diligence - candidates must be prepared to work hard to carry out his political responsibilities and roles and to wholeheartedly serve the people. Discipline – candidates must always display high degree of party discipline by being willing to obey and wholeheartedly implement the party’s polices, directives and decisions.
Consideration will also be given to the candidates ‘s public acceptability among the voters and his /her ability to bring about Party’s growth, expansion and development.
(17/8/2003) * Kerk Kim Hock, DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka |