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Merdeka month bunting: Cabinet should direct that the buntings that have created controversies and caused unhappiness be taken down immediately Press Conference Statement - after launching the DAP  “ Democratic & Secular Malaysia Forever” Leafleting Campaign at 9 am at Jalan Temenggong Market by Kerk Kim Hock (Kota Melaka, Thursday): DAP has received complaints from members of the pubic who feel offended by the buntings that have been put up along the major streets of Melaka town in conjunction with the launching of the month long 46 th Merdeka Day celebration four days ago.    The bunting that has been displayed consist of the photographs of five of the nation’s leaders, namely, Dato Onn Jaafar, frist President of UMNO and the nation’s four Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Hussien Onn and Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.   The photographs obviously serve to highlight the achievement and activities of these leaders. For example, in the case of Tun Hussein Onn, a photograph was depicted showing him shaking hand with Mao Tze Tung while in the photograph depicting Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the background consists of photos of mega projects like the world ‘s tallest Twin Towers.   However, what has caused public unhappiness is that not only the bunting does not highlight the contributions of all races in the struggle towards achieving Independence, it has instead carried a photo   that shows Dato Onn Jaafar and a banner with the words: MALAYA FOR MALAYS. MALAYAN UNION NOT WANTED.   The contribution and historical fact of Dato Onn Jaafar in opposing the Malayan Union in 1946 is not being questioned and is not the question here.   The relevant question is, since the launching is to begin the month long Merdeka Day celebrations, why did the Joint Organising Committee headed by the Tourism Minister and the Malacca Chief Minister choose not to highlight the sacrifices and contribution made by all major communities towards the struggle to achieve the nation's Independence?    Since the Malayan Union proposal was a scheme that would have given most immigrants citizenship and voting rights, why should Malaysians be reminded of such an event during the Merdeka Day celebrations when what they should be reminded of is the importance and necessity of mutual respect, racial harmony, genuine unity and religious tolerance in a multi racial country like Malaysia?       The Tourism Ministry and the Malacca government cannot be absolved from the blame that they have been most insensitive towards the feelings of other races, and that they have ignored the contribution of other races in achieving the nation’s Independence.   I therefore call on the Cabinet to rectify such a mistake by directing  that the buntings be taken down immediately.   The Merdeka Day month long celebration should in fact highlight Tunku’s most important contribution to the nation – the founding nation building principle that Malaysia is a democratic, secular, multireligious and tolerant nation with Islam as the official religion but not an Islamic State.   (20/8/2003) * Kerk Kim Hock, DAP Secretary General & MP for Kota Melaka