Press Statement by Charles Santiago in Klang on
Saturday, 30th August 2008:
Merdeka 2008: Towards a Bangsa
Malaysia where people make the government Competent, Accountable,
Transparent (CAT)
Like any other year, Malaysia is
gearing up for its Merdeka Day celebration, complete with pomp, glitter
and color. But putting together a dizzyingly complex ensemble of
performances is not enough to cover up a nation dogged by political
insecurity, a weakening economy and high levels of inflation, job
insecurity and widespread corruption.
Neither would it gloss over Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's
political weakness and his dwindling grip on power. This is clear from
the voice of dissidents within the ruling UMNO calling for the
resignation of the premier following the outcome of the by- election in
Permatang Pauh.
The government's inability to grasp problems faced by the people, losing
economic competitiveness, the shocking levels of corruption and
ever-expanding wallets of the ruling elite are crucial issues that
played out in the March election and broke its lock on power.
The upset polls, which left Barisan Nasional politicians and
particularly UMNO leaders reeling from shock, aptly reflects the loss of
confidence in the ruling government.
We saw a repeat of this in the decisive victory and dramatic political
comeback of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim. Despite a cleverly
planned and executed smear campaign against Anwar, the people chose to
shun UMNO which is increasingly becoming irrelevant and out of touch
with the needs and aspirations of people.
Malaysians are no longer swayed by biting and crude sexual allegations,
promises of mega projects which do not benefit the poor or the doling
out of goodies at electoral campaigns. Families are grappling with day
to day issues like rising food and fuel prices, increasing crime rate,
stagnant wages and the possibility of losing jobs. .
The government must ensure it works in the interest of the people.
Therefore it has to be competent, accountable and transparent (CAT). It
cannot continue to rely on communal politics or stoke racial tension to
keep the people under its grip.
I urge Malaysians of all races and religion to come together on Merdeka
Day to usher in a new political culture in the country - one that is
based on Bangsa Malaysia, where the people stand together to make the
government competent, accountable, and transparent.
* Charles Santiago, MP for Klang
http://dapmalaysia.org