(Petaling Jaya, Saturday): The DAP takes pride in our refurbished DAP headquarters which was carried out 3 years ago in quite difficult circumstances when DAP’s political fortunes was at its ebb and our future somewhat uncertain. DAP can not raise funds easily and to do so without holding a single dinner is not only a demonstration of the single-minded devotion of our leaders and members but also a celebration of the groundswell of support enjoyed by DAP.

Whilst this refurbished headquarters is nothing compared to the expensive and opulent offices of other political parties, we would still like to take this opportunity to thank all who have made this possible with funds such as DAP CEC leaders Sdr Lim Kit Siang, Fong Kui Lun, Teresa Kok, Tan Seng Giaw, Tan Kok Wai, Chow Kon Yeow, Chong Eng, and particularly our young Anthony Loke, Vincent Wu, Pooi Weng Keong. For those who put in efforts we must not forget our HQ General Manager Sdri Lee Kee Hiong and Lim Hon Leng. There are many other contributors from the public as well as members I can not mention all here and I want to say on behalf of the party our deepest gratitude.

Whilst we do not want to look backwards, today’s opening shows how long we have come and how far we still have to go. This is not only an integral part of capacity building for the DAP but demonstrates our commitment to towards freedom, good governance and democracy.

Wee Meng Chee has not killed or harmed anyone, why should he be repressed down in such a manner

It is such commitment towards freedom, good governance and democracy that the DAP has come out to defend Wee Meng Chee for allegedly making seditious remarks in offending the nation and non-Muslims in his rap video or Negaraku. We are defending Wee not because we believe in Wee’s creative right to sing within limits but also to defend democracy as well as freedom of expression in the internat. 

Up to now the government has not made a legal case where Wee had gone wrong in offending the laws of the land such as sedition.  Worse Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department even wanted action to be taken against YouTube for allowing sensitive material that violates Malaysian laws. 

How ignorant and out of touch are our leaders that they want to clamp down on anything that threatens their media monopoly and sole control of information? The latest episode against an ordinary Malaysian student studying in Taiwan demonstrates the extreme lengths and absurd levels that UMNO and MCA would go, to curb online dissent, stifle diverse views and silence youthful voices.   

I make no apologies for supporting Wee and Nazri should go back to school if he does not understand the meaning of freedom of expression when DAP’s support for Wee is not a full approval of what he said but to defend Wee’s right to exercise his freedom of expression. However that does not mean that there is no legal recourse available. If anyone feels defamed, then he can sue Wee for defamation in civil courts. 

MCA, Gerakan and UMNO should be ashamed of themselves for employing the entire government machinery against one ordinary student. DAP regrets that before Gerakan Datuk Dr Lim Keng Yaik and Chua Soi Lek has even resigned for their role in Cabinet supporting action taken against Wee, Koh Tsu Koon has come out in support for Lim Keng Yaik.  

Worse is MCA Youth President Datuk Liow Tiong Lai who was the first to condemn Wee for insulting the national anthem showing that he has no moral authority to represent the voices of youths when he is part of the government that wants to silence youths. The government should focus its attentions on criminals instead of bullying an ordinary student.  

Is this the type of democracy and freedom that Gerakan and MCA is talking under BN where those who brandish the kris to threaten to kill Chinese and burn their homes escape unpunished whilst those who sing anti-government songs are hounded and persecuted. Wee Meng Chee has not killed or harmed anyone, why should he be repressed down in such a manner. 

There is no racial tension in the country because of this ordinary student’s rap video. No Malays are angry because of this video which is not even made in Malaysia. The only party showing anger and making provocative and inflammatory threats of May 13 is UMNO.  DAP calls on all Malaysian to stand together to resist such bullying of an ordinary student by UMNO and prevent UMNO, MCA and Gerakan from trying to exploit this  issue for the coming general elections.                                            

Malaysian First wants to free Malaysia from the walls of fear, oppression, mediocrity and injustices that justifies discrimination and entitlement

50 years ago, Malaysia achieved Merdeka and her people were set free from British colonial rule. However 50 years later, we are not free and have instead  lost many of our freedoms.                                           

We were freed from our colonial bonds by our Federal Constitution that enshrine a democratic system of governance and promised fundamental liberties and basic human rights that gave equal protection to every citizen. Since then, these rights have been reduced or removed, diminished or denuded and diluted or discarded until it becomes sentences without real content. Sadly our Federal Constitution has been amended so many times that it has been reduced to a piece of document filled with vague aspirations rather than real commitments.  

Malaysians will never be free unless we free ourselves from the walls of fear, mediocrity, oppression and injustices that justifies both discrimination and entitlement. We propose a new Malaysian First with two essential elements. One there must a return to the Merdeka spirit of 1957 where we were part of a common citizenry and not divided by race or religion into first or second-class citizens.  

We continue to be divided by the colour of our skin or the beliefs in our hearts or our political affiliations even though our blood is of the same colour. Instead of one people, one Bangsa Malaysia in a secular state we have racial dominance and an Islamic state. What is so difficult about accepting Bangsa Malaysia which was described by Mahathir “as people being able to identify themselves with the country, speak Bahasa Malaysia and accept the Federal Constitution”. 

Malaysian First seeks to achieved national unity based on a common identity centered on democracy, freedom, justice integrity and human dignity. Until we restore Bangsa Malaysia and ketuanan Malaysia, can we reclaim our Merdeka heritage and the promises made for full democratisation.  

Two, we must seek a Bangsa Malaysia so that we can provide equal opportunities that allows every Malaysian to fulfill his or her human potential. As stated in the booklet, 

“We have a historical duty to renew our struggle for a Bangsa Malaysia. However this contest must not be seen solely from the perspective of political rights or social injustices but also from the economic perspective of wealth creation and distribution. Malaysian First is a continuation of Malaysian Malaysia with equal economic opportunity as its central core. 

Equal opportunity is not just giving everyone the right to study, the right to work, right to spend what is earned, right to own property and have the state as a servant and not as a master but also about our obligation to help the needy.  No one is fated to be poor just as no one is entitled to wealth. Social justice gives everyone the opportunity to improve their standard of living.  

The market is not the only solution. We should allow both the market and political system to operate and do what it does best. The political process stresses on equity that can guarantee access for all, whereas the market system ensures efficient allocation of resources that improves productivity and effective delivery.   

We must free up the potential of our greatest resource - our human resources. We must empower every Malaysian with economic freedom and equal opportunity to achieve the great Malaysian Dream of success through hard work and ability. 

If we succeed, we can transform Malaysia into a united nation identified with a common destiny sharing values of democracy, freedom, justice, integrity and human dignity. If we fail, we have a sham democracy that can not differentiate between right and wrong.“