Statement by Jenice Lee Ying Ha in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday, 18^th May 2010:

A small step of Sibu by-election victory has brought about a big leap in Malaysian democracy

DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) congratulate the Sibu people who had casted their vote in the recent by-election and now Sibu’s political landscape has changed for the better.

The Sibu parliamentary by-election carries much weight as this is a testing ground for Pakatan Rakyat in Sarawak during this state election. In the past, Sabah and Sarawak were seen as Barisan National so called ‘fix deposit’ where the people gave them unwavering support and change was seem almost impossible then.

The Sibu by-election was marred by threat and the temptation of money politics practised by the Barisan National. However, the victory of the DAP has sent out a loud and clear message that people in Sibu would not give in to the threatening messages and money politics of Barisan National. The people here in Sibu today have demonstrated a radical change and are moving forward in this new political era.

Although Barisan National has lost in this by-election, I hope they would not forget all their promises and pledges made during the by-election. The people should have recalled when Barisan National won in Batang Ai by-election last year and that followed by all broken promises. Anyway, I believe our newly elected Member of Parliament Wong Ho Leng will remind the Prime Minister the pledges made during the coming Parliament sitting and make sure BN will seriously walk the talk.

Finally, the wind of radical change is blowing in Sibu. In 2008 DAP lost in Sibu Parliament sit by 3235 votes and now in 2010 by-election DAP won by 398 votes. These had shown that change is possible.

A small step of Sibu by-election victory has brought about a big leap in Malaysian democracy. At least for now Malaysians could now see a glimpse of light of what is true democracy in this new political era.

* Jenice Lee Ying Ha, DAPSY Deputy Chairman & ADUN for Teratai