Calling Prime Minister to
initiate a process of national healing
Press Statement
by Dr Tan
Seng Giaw
(Petaling Jaya,
Thursday):
I received a call from a
member of public that Anwar Ibrahim was released a while ago. How I wish
that such“news” turns out to be true and not a mere April Fool joke.
This has prompted me to ask our
triumphant Prime Minister to start a national healing process. Pak Lah is
indeed in the best position after winning ninety percent of the
parliamentary seats in the just concluded general elections. He has a
mandate to do whatever he feels is right and good for our beloved nation and
its people.
With such a huge mandate from the
people, no one can prevent Pak Lah from allowing Anwar to seek medical
treatment. Or order the original SJKC Damansara to be reopened tomorrow. He
should also direct Ong Ka Ting to stop building the RM1.5 billion
incinerator (cancer factory!) in Broga. The list can go on and on, thanks to
the 22 long years of Mahathir’s iron rule.
DAP has described the fouled up 11th
general election as the “most unfair and dirtiest” general election. DAP is
in the process of compiling evidences and complaints from our candidates and
agents for possible legal actions against the EC and certain phantom voters.
There is much anger and frustrations
among the Barisan Alternatif (BA) members and supporters who believed that
Abdullah’s coalition has collaborated with the Election Commission to steal
their victory away from their parties. PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat have
openly refused to recognize the 11th general election.
I am particularly concerned with the
fact that more and more people have lost confidence with the current
electoral system that forms the basis of a democratic system. What is going
to happen to this country if more and more people believe that the electoral
process is not clean and trustworthy and there is not much hope in winning
any election? Would they resort to avenues other than the democratic process
out of despair and frustrations?
The legitimacy of Pak Lah’s government
hinges on a fair and clean general election. It’s wrong for him to adopt an
attitude of “leaving it to the EC” after winning the elections while he was
seen to collaborated with the EC before the election. He has, for instance,
yet to justify for the “shortest” campaign period in the Malaysian history.
He has no reasons not to form a Royal Commission to get to the bottom of the
electoral fiasco to show that his ruling coalition has nothing to hide.
Pak Lah has also disappointed many
Malaysians when he broke his promise for a clean and trustworthy new
cabinet- the so-called” Cabinet of the Future”. No wonder many Malaysians
have now begun to wonder whether Pak Lah is sincere in fighting against
corruption.
But if he is bold enough to start a
national healing process, I believe every Malaysian, regardless of their
political inclinations, will throw their full support behind him.
A national healing process is
imperative for Malaysia. We were plagued with all sorts of problems for too
long. It’s in the interest of Pak Lah and other BN leaders to resolve all
these issues in order to achieve real harmony among the people.
Pak Lah has pledged to be a leader for
all. It’s time for him to swing into actions.
Yes, the proof of the pudding is in
the eating. We will certainly cheer on when we see real actions.
(1/4/2004)
* Ronnie Liu
Tian Khiew, DAP national publicity secretary
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