Khairy Jamaluddin has twisted my statement on the history of Merdeka!

http://dapmalaysia.org Forward Feedback

Khairy Jamaluddin has twisted my statement on the history of Merdeka: Challenge Khairy for a public debate on where I rejected Tunku Abdul Rahman as Bapa Merdeka.

Media Statement
by Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew

(Petaling Jaya, Monday): I refer to my statement written on the history of Merdeka on 1 September, 2005 which was twisted and distorted by UMNO Youth Deputy President to make himself as a hero of the Malays.

I wish to state categorically that I have never rejected Tunku Abdul Rahman as Bapa Merdeka. Never in my statement are such words found and I challenge Khairy to a public debate to prove that I had rejected Tunku Abdul Rahman as Bapa Merdeka.

Apart from accepting Tunku Abdul Rahman as Bapa Merdeka, I had also stressed that Independence was achieved not only by UMNO but also by other Malaysians, including non-Malays and Malays not in UMNO.

The reason for writing the statement was to get Malaysians in general and young generations in particular to understand the history of Malaysia .I wanted to remind Malaysians that we have what we have today, a beautiful Malaysia, was the fruit of blood, sweat and tears of our forefathers of all races.

I wanted young Malaysians to know the history of independence, and I believe that we should not take for granted for what we have today.

It's my hope that all Malaysians will continue to work together for a better Malaysia in the true spirit of Muhibah and Merdeka.

I was shocked and saddened to learn that Khairy Jamaluddin, UMNO Youth deputy chief, has twisted the facts of my statement in his press conference on Sunday.

His story was carried by Utusan Malaysia on its front page today. Several English and Chinese dailies also carried the story briefly. I was told that Khairy's story was also featured over the news segment by some local TV stations.

He has accused me of not recognizing Tunku Abdul Rahman as the Bapa Merdeka (Father of Independence), but instead recognizing Chin Peng as the real fighter for independence in the said statement. These serious accusations are untrue and unfair to me. I reiterate that I never said that our late Tunku was not the Bapa Merdeka (Father of Independence) in my statement. Further, I had only quoted then IGP Tan Sri Rahim Noor's remarks on Chin Peng on signing the peace accord with the MCP.

Just like all other Malaysians, I too recognize Tunku Abdul Rahman as our Bapa Merdeka. The late Tunku had led Malayans (now Malaysians) of all races in the struggle for independence, to free our nation from the stranglehold of the British colonials.

Perhaps my way of writing and the choice of words were not polished and well-rounded as it should be.

I suggest those who are interested in understanding the issue to also read the Form 5 History textbooks (published by Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka) currently used in national secondary schools. Most of the Merdeka fighters mentioned in my earlier statement could be found there.

I hope that Khairy has the courage to debate with me to either back up his false accusations against me or any other matter he may desire. I leave it to Khairy to set the time and place, anytime, anyplace, and anywhere.

(5/09/2005)

* Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, DAP International Secretary and NGO Bureau Chief