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Absolutely no excuse for the NS State government to touch Lee Sam Road Cemetry, Seremban for road expansion Press Statement by Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew (Petaling Jaya, Monday): Last Sunday morning, the Negri Sembilan DAP state leaders and members were joined by the DAP members from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur in a "Save our Heritage " Walk and a prayer in our bid to preserve the Lee Sam Road Cemetery, Seremban. We have observed in our walk that the so-called road expansion can be done without touching the cemetery. DAP has launched a signature campaign to save the historical cemetery two weeks ago. We have also held a forum to educate the public on the importance of preserving the cemetery as a cultural heritage. In our campaign leaflets, we have also highlighted to the State Government that it has to respect the constitutional and cultural rights of the Chinese community. 19 years ago, the Melaka State government's plan to level the symbol of Malaysian Chinese heritage Bukit China cemetery was defeated by a nation-wide movement led by the DAP and resistance put up by the Chinese community in the country. 2 years ago, the Federal Government's plan to acquire the historical Guangdong cemetery in Sg. Besi Kuala Lumpur was defeated by the forces jointly put up by the Chinese community and political party such as DAP. And now, the Negri Sembilan State Government's plan to level the historical Lee Sam Road Cemetery in the name of "road expansion and development" faces resistance from the Chinese community and the opposition parties such as DAP, PAS and Keadilan Rakyat Malaysia. While Gerakan has given its support openly to the NS State Government unashamedly, the MCA has yet to make its stance. But the MCA's stance is quite predictable, as the party is not known to have a backbone to defend the constitutional rights of the Chinese community. The party wishes to register our support and solidarity for the effort put up by the local community towards the preservation of Lee Sam Road Cemetery. We are glad to learn that the trustee of Lee Sam Road Cemetery and the NS Chinese Assembly Hall have called for a joint meeting of all Chinese guilds and associations in the state on June 5, 2003 in Seremban to seek a consensus on the controversial state project. Together we have saved the historical Bukit China and Guangdong cemeteries in the past. Let us now work together to save the Lee Sam Road Cemetery. (2/6/2003) * Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, DAP national publicity secretary