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National unity a top priority in
nation-building
Media Statement
by Ronnie Liu Tian
Khiew
(Petaling Jaya, Friday): The Ministry of Information
should be commended for organising the "Debat Perdana" TV 1 live series on
the issue of national unity over eight weeks commencing from last Sunday, 12
Sept 2004. For national unity is a top priority for a multiracial,
multicultural and multi-religious society like ours.
We have liberated from the
hands of the British some 47 years ago, but sad to note that the "divide and
rule" policy initiated by the British was perpetuated by the Barisan
Nasional (then Alliance) regime until today. In short, we have not achieved
true unity as a nation after 47 years of independence.
The best example of the "divide
and rule" policy is none other the ruling coalition which is made up by
ethnic-based political parties such as United Malays National Organisations
(UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Associations (MCA), and Malaysian Indian Congress
(MIC). UMNO only cares about the Malays, MCA for the Chinese, and MIC for
the Indians. They would never see things in a true Malaysian perspective due
to their inherent prejudice, exclusivity and narrowness.
But as the dominant component
party with the greatest power and advantage, UMNO would never be willing to
dislodge the current political equation, and thus MCA, MIC and other
minority component members would continue to play a subservient role in the
ruling coalition, and certainly lacking in will, power and resources to
defend the rights of the communities they supposedly represent. Such
political hegemony had given rise to inequalities and imbalances, and
inevitably caused much anxieties, suspicions and unhappiness among the
different races in the country. And these can never be unshackled as long as
such racial political parties continue to exist in the system.
The only hope for Malaysia lies
in the emergence of a strong non-ethnic-based political party or coalition.
A political party or coalition that fights for justice, freedom, democracy,
good governance and peace for ALL Malaysians.
It is in this context that
Malaysians should give their undivided support to political parties which
believe in the spirit of humanity, equality and liberty. Say NO to all
ethnic-based parties and march towards a truly united multiracial,
multicultural and multireligious nation.
(17/9/2004)
* Ronnie Liu
Tian Khiew,
DAP International & NGO Affairs
Secretary
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http://dapmalaysia.org