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“Break Barisan Nasional monopoly for A Better Negeri Sembilan”
 


Media Conference Statement
- during the launch of DAP NS Election Slogan and State Manifesto
by
Loke Siew Fook

(Seremban, Saturday): DAP Negeri Sembilan heeds the call of the Party Central Executive Committee to prepare early for the coming general election. We are proud to announce that we are moving up to the high “gear” and today we are the second state committee after Penang to announce our general election’s slogan.  

Our slogan is to call on the people of Negeri Sembilan to “Break Barisan Nasional monopoly for A Better Negeri Sembilan”. Negeri Sembilan was without any opposition representatives since 1996 and in the last 7 years, the State Assembly was totally dominated by the Barisan Nasional.

 

We are not just shouting a plain slogan but we are very clear of our vision and know what we can offer to the electorates. Negeri Sembilan is in dire needs of Opposition elected representatives and this vacuum should be filled by none other than the DAP. We have stated 10 crucial reasons why the people of Negeri Sembilan should vote for the DAP in the coming general elections to break the BN monopoly.

 

This introduction of a special state manifesto for Negeri Sembilan is a progressive change for the Party as this was not our tradition in the past in NS. This change is testimonial that DAP is reforming and moving forward. We are prepared to embrace changes and apply new approaches in our political work.  

 

Negeri Sembilan was the birthplace of the DAP far way back in 1965 when our founding Chairman, Sdr. Dr. Chen Man Hin won the Rahang State Assembly by-election on 11th  December 1965 as an Independent candidate. We must not let the Party down in its birthplace.

 

I call on all leaders and comrades, young and old, to come out in full force again to return our Party to the glorious days and achieve a breakthrough that can be proud of not just by our members in the state but all our comrades throughout the country in the coming general election.

 

In conjunction with the launching of the state election slogan and manifesto, DAP Negeri  Sembilan with the co-ordination of various branches in the state will organize a series of “Break BN Monopoly for A Better Negeri Sembilan” Solidarity Dinner throughout the state. The dinners are also aimed to raise General Election funds for the Party. The scheduled dinners are as below:

 

 

Date

Time

Venue

Organized by

Contact

22/11/03

(Saturday)

7.00 pm

Dewan Orang Ramai, Pekan Titi

Titi branch

Siow Yoke Kim (012-9701404)

 

29/11/03

(Saturday)

7.00 p.m.

Lucky Seafood Restaurant,

Pekan Lukut

Pekan Lukut branch

Wong Hon Chuan (012-3171728)

 

6/12/2003

(Saturday)

7.00 p.m.

Pekan Rantau

Rantau Timur branch

Arumugam

(06-6944605)

 

 

Dinners to be organized in other towns in the state are also in the pipeline and will be announced in a later date. Besides dinner functions, the state leaders will also make constituency visits to all intended constituencies to be contested by the Party to explain to the voters the importance of DAP making a strong comeback in Negeri Sembilan in the coming general elections.

 

Our manifesto for Negeri Sembilan reads as below:

 

 

Break BN Monopoly for A Better

Negeri Sembilan!

 

Negeri Sembilan has been without any opposition representation since 1996. The Barisan Nasional, after its 1999 general elections sweep of the state now controls all seven parliamentary and 32 state seats. The BN's monopoly must be denied because the minority has no voice in the past seven years. In short, this means you have signed the BN a blank cheque since 1996. When elected DAP leaders can expose scandal after scandal, month after month, in other states and at federal level, imagine the amount of skeletons in the BN's Negeri Sembilan cupboard that has yet to be exposed.  Despite our electoral setbacks in 1999, the DAP did not desert you. We are still here, and will continue to be here, because we believe friends must always stand by their friends. Fighting for your rights as unelected reps is never easy and very unconventional. We urge you to give us a hand --- by electing us --- so that we can put up a formidable fight on your behalf. We invite you to form a partnership with us to reclaim your rights, enforce accountability and give democracy some hope in these challenging times. We need YOU to help us to help you.

 

10 reasons why you should vote for the DAP in the coming General Election!

 

1) For A Democratic and Secular Malaysia forever

 

-         A strong DAP representation in the Parliament and the State Assembly is crucial and we need the people’s backing to enable us to defend the secular nature of our system of governance. DAP elected reps will oppose any efforts to create a theocratic state as we are committed to preserve the multi-racial, multi-culture and multi-religious character of our society.

 

2) For A More Democratic Society

 

-         In any democracy, the Opposition is part and parcel of the system. Without Opposition, there will be no checks and balances on the government and this will create conditions for the government of the day to misuse their powers. DAP will, as always, play the role of a responsible and constructive Opposition. We will continue to fight for democratic reform, the abolishment of draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act and others, greater press freedom and in the process, create a more vibrant, democratic society.

 

3) For A More Accountable State Government.

 

-         In the past seven years, the Negeri Sembilan State Assembly was without any Opposition reps. The tyranny of an absolute majority has resulted in many problems faced by the people not being seriously addressed by the State Government. Incidences like State Assembly sittings being adjourned in just two hours has became a norm. This must stop, and we need your help to stop this rampant abuse! If there is strong DAP representation in the State Assembly after the next General Election, we will ensure this will not again happen in the Assembly and effectively play the role as watchdog and exert pressure on the State Government to be more responsible and accountable in serving the people. We, in the DAP, will be a responsible Opposition.

 

4) For A Less Corrupt Society

 

-         Corruption happens everywhere in the world and it is impossible to wipe it out completely. Only a strong DAP both at federal and state levels can help ensure the situation gets better and not worse. DAP leaders have always been vocal and  fearless when exposing high level scandals and corruptions, be it the BMF, Perwaja or Maika Holdings scandals. With a strong DAP around, you’ll be assured that we will continue to fearlessly expose scandals and make the government accountable for every taxpayer’s sen. We shall continue to impress upon the federal government that there must be zero-tolerance for corruption, whether at council, state or federal level.

 

5) For A Better Living Environment

 

-         A good, healthy living environment can only be provided by a caring and effective local government. There are daily press reports about all sorts of problems like uncollected garbage, out-of-order street lamps, potholes, and poorly-maintained green lungs. This only happens because local councillors are appointed, not elected, and their loyalty is, thus, to their political masters and not the voters. The DAP will be the people’s voice in demanding for the reintroduction of local government elections. A strong DAP in the Assembly can monitor and scrutinise the performance of the local councils in a more effective way and in the process ensure the public get better service.

 

6) For A More Effective Local Government

 

-         Local government like the Seremban Town Council is one of the headache government agencies the people have to deal with on a daily basis. Bureaucracy and red tape are norms in these offices. Taxpayers and businessmen are frustrated as they always find it troublesome dealing with Third World mentality local governments. DAP elected reps will give special attention to this issue and efforts will be made to propose solutions to improve the effectiveness in the functioning of the local government. We will work hand in hand towards the realisation of Local Agenda 21, a mission to encourage participation of the people in the decision making process at the local level, create a vibrant civil society and aim for sustainable development.

 

7) For A Safer Neighborhood

 

-         Personal safety and security are among our main concerns. We will strive for neighbourhoods where we can all work and live in safely without having to worry when we are at work or when our children return from tuition at night. DAP will fight for additional police numbers to protect the people and patrol housing estates more regularly. DAP elected reps will work hand in hand with the police and residents to work towards crime-free neighbourhoods.

 

8) For A Flood-Free Negeri Sembilan

 

-         Despite the Barisan Nasional 100% control of the State Assembly and their numerous promises to solve the flood problems in the last few elections, flash floods still hit Seremban whenever there is heavy rain. Flash floods are problems we needn’t live with. It is time the people of Negeri Sembilan teach BN a lesson for not fulfilling their promises by flooding the State Assembly with DAP reps! Flood control will be high on our reps’ agenda when they are given the mandate. 

 

9) For More Affordable Public Amenities.

 

-         Since the last general elections prices of public amenities such as telephone services, water, toll roads etc have increased but services have not. The Negeri Sembilan Water Department has increased the water rate wantonly to compensate for its own weaknesses and wastages. In short, we are all paying for their mistakes.

Price increases in amenities will lead to inflation and increased prices of goods and services. DAP will demand realistic rates be imposed. 

 

10) For Better Service to the People

 

-         All DAP Negeri Sembilan elected representatives will have service centres to serve and solve the problems faced by the constituents. No improvement without competition! That’s exactly the case here. Without DAP reps, the BN will not feel obliged to deliver their promises. A strong DAP representation will put pressure on the BN reps to pull up their socks, and the main beneficiaries will be the rakyat. So, vote DAP for a win-win situation! Together – for a better community.

 

 

 

 

(11/10/2003)


*  Loke Siew Fook,  DAP Negeri Sembilan State Secretary