Media statement by Lim Kit Siang in Petaling Jaya on Saturday, 28^th August 2010: 

National Day on August 31 is deadline for Najib to prove he is serious about "zero tolerance" for racism in the country, particularly by public servants

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak should have received public feedback that his declaration yesterday of a “zero tolerance” towards racism and pledge to take immediate action against those found to have made racial slurs had been received with great cynicism countrywide as another Najibism which is good for soundbites and publicity but never to be taken seriously – that it would be forgotten once delivered.

In fact, public cynicism about Najib’s political will and leadership after 16 month as Prime Minister in his various policy pronouncements because of the large gulf between proclamation and action has culminated in Merdeka month celebrations this year with the theme “1Malaysia transforms the nation” highlighting the failures of Najib’s 1Malaysia rather than celebrating the new Prime Minister’s signature nation-building programme.

The question now is whether Najib can inspire confidence in time for National Day on Tuesday, August 31st in his “zero tolerance” policy for racism by taking firm and decisive action in the next 60 hours against racists who had created inter-racial misunderstandings and tensions in the past weeks?

There can for instance be no excuse whatsoever for failing to take firm and meaningful action against the two schools principals, in from Kulai and the other from Bukit Selambau, who had made insensitive, derogatory and racist remarks against students which are were totally against Najib’s 1Malaysia concept when the country celebrates National Day next Tuesday - that is if Najib’s “Zero tolerance” for racism declaration is to be taken seriously.

Multiple police reports had been lodged against these two school principals. If they can still get away with impunity for their racist utterances and repudiation of Najib’s 1Malaysia policy, what credibility could Najib and his 1Malaysia slogan command in the country?

In a way, National Day on August 31 is a deadline for Najib to prove that he is serious about his “Zero tolerance” for racism in the country, particularly by public servants.

Najib should not fail the country, his office as Prime Minister and the 1Malaysia policy which he had promoted since becoming Prime Minister in April last year.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary Leader & MP for Ipoh Timor