Press Statement on The Eve Of The 2-year Anniversary
Of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi As Malaysia’s 5^th Prime Minister
by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Sunday): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration is nearing its 2 years in office from his ascension as our country’s 5 th Prime Minister on 31 October 2003. One of the first steps that Pak Lah instituted was towards democracy and rule of law, declare his commitment to fighting corruption,  checking abuses of power, a more tolerant Islamic state in the form of Islam hadhari, more democratic space and accountability, developing human potential, improving corporate governance and exhorting Malaysians to work with and not work for me.

An Integrity Commission, the Royal Commission of Police, fighting money politics in UMNO, ensure the performance of BN MPs with a report card, focusing on merit and excellence to drive the economy forward, the release of Anwar Ibrahim, taking action against mismanaged Government-Linked Corporations(GLCs) and ah honest, friendly and humble manner ushered in a sense of hope that is known as the Kuala Lumpur Spring. Malaysians felt and like the Kuala Lumpur spring and rewarded Pak Lah with a record 90% Parliamentary mandate in the 2004 general elections.

Two years later,  the promises remain impressive but the performance is disappointing. Has the KL Spring ended? In the time of his grief over the painful loss of his beloved wife of 40 years, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, DAP wishes to tell him where his performance has disappointed.

The Integrity Commission remains out of commission, Ministers tinged with corruption such as AP Queen Rafidah tells our Sdr Lim Kit Siang to jump in the lake for his persistent expose of her misdeeds, the Royal Commission Of Police is a heavy tome that serves only to gather dust, mismanaged GLC continue to be mismanaged, the Budget 2006 is a non-event that neither succours nor sustains our pocket-books except for its annual ritual against smokers and drinkers, forest reserves are cut down illegally, some schools continue to be dilapidated and dangerous until a Chinese school teacher fell to his death when the building was eaten by termites, BN MPs report card remain unreported, three year old girls get thrown into lock-ups and the people’s rights and sensibilities continue to be trampled on by government leaders, officials and appointed local councilors.

Why are the 125 recommendations of the Royal Commisson of Police not implemented? Why are companies like MAS, Proton and Bank Islam recording huge losses?  Why are those involved in huge financial losses or even corruption continue to be appointed Ministers or hold Datukships? Why has the Budget failed to address the twin problems of high inflation and declining economic growth? Why has the total Federal government debt risen from RM 217 billion in 2004 to RM 238 billion in 2005 amounting to 48.9% of the GDP? Most important of all, national unity remains out of reach now as it was during Mahathir’s divisive regime.

International indicators show how the Kuala Lumpur Spring has ended. The United Nations Human Development Report placed Malaysia at No. 58 when Pak Lah took over in 2003. Two years later we are three places worse off No. 61. Malaysian was No. 37 in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index in 2001, now we are two places worse off at No. 39. Press freedom was at No. 104 in 2003, now we are at No.113.

DAP suggests that our 5^th Prime Minister concentrate on 5 tasks to renew the KL Spring.

1.   ensure wealth creation with wealth distribution by implementing a minimum monthly wage of RM 1,000 to overcome the worst income disparity between the rich and poor in South-East Asia where the richest 10% controls 38.4% of income whereas the poorest 10% controls only 1.7%.
 

2.   institutionalise accountability and transparency by sacking Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz as International Trade and Industry Minister who is totally discredited after the National Automotive Policy abolished franchise APs that created AP Kings. The ACA must be made independent with powers of prosecution and answerable only to Parliament
 

3.   Implement the 125 recommendations of the Royal Commission of Police made in May 2005;
 

4.   Improve standards in higher education and government service by discarding quotas and relying on merit which would enable Malaysia to achieve developed status that is results-driven, technologically and knowledge-based, ethically-centred and with corporate social responsibility;
 

5.   Forge national unity based on values of democracy and justice through national development policies and educational programmes on schools both national and vernacular, based on needs and population not on race or religion.

Pak Lah is a decent man whose values and uprightness is respected by Malaysians. Malaysians do not want him to fail but unless bold moves are taken his performance will never match the power of his promises.

(30/10/2005)