The 1957 Merdeka Federal Constitution And 1963 Malaysian Federation Constitution Are The Model For 28 Million Malaysians To Unite Together To Fight Corruption, Ensure Economic Prosperity For All And Win The Future For Our Children.
DAP wishes to salute the real heroes of Malaysia, the millions of ordinary Malaysians who voted for change in the last general elections, especially the 51% who supported PR ,and dealt BN their first defeat in terms of popular vote in Malaysian history. By daring to vote for change or UBAH, the majority of Malaysians showed not just fortitude but also foresight that only a change of government can improve their standard of living, bring about stronger communities and sustainable development.
The foresight by the 51% of voters to reject BN has been borne out by the serial price hikes by BN in sugar, petrol, power tariffs and highway tolls after retaining power. Even some of the 47% who supported BN in the last general elections have begun to regret their choice and now shares the same desire for UBAH with the majority 51%.
These price hikes can be avoided, delayed or even reduced if the BN government had focused on fighting corruption. BN has lost their last shred of credibility by increasing prices immediately after the general elections. Unlike BN, PR in Penang has not increased any prices but was able to delay them until a later date by fighting corruption.
By implementing open competitive tenders, public declaration of assets, publicly disclosing government contracts with the private sector and good governance, Penang has recorded annual budget surpluses and reduced our state debt by 95%. Penang is proud to be the only state government in Malaysia that did not increase any charges for local services, whether for quit rent, assessment charges or business license fees.
The BN Federal government can delay price increases if only they follow what Penang is doing, especially in fighting corruption. Even with a former Transparency International Malaysia President as a Minister, not only are there no public declaration of assets but Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission(MACC) dare not exercise its powers under section 29(3) and 36(1) of the MACC Act to demand one from the stepson of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
So far there have been no answers to the questions as to the source of wealth of Najib’s 36-year old stepson that facilitated stepson’s purchase of a RM 110 million penthouse in New York. Instead of asking for a full declaration of assets from Najib’s stepson, MACC has tried to run away from the responsibility by asking for new and additional powers to do so. MACC claimed that the MACC Act 2009 should be amended to be given additional powers that include investigating possession of property beyond one’s means even though section 29(3) and 36(1) of the present MACC Act empowers MACC to do so.
DAP is willing to support MACC’s call to be given additional powers but this is a futile exercise when MACC dare not enforce them. This abdication of responsibility by MACC is not merely a breach of statutory duty to fight corruption but also a symbol of how ingrained the culture of corruption is in Malaysia, until an anti-corruption agency that should be leaving no stone unturned is doing all it can to avoid investigating.
The only solution offered by BN is to distract attention by playing up the fires of racial hatred and religious extremism, especially creating fear against non-Malays and non-Muslims. To avoid falling into UMNO and Perkasa’s racial and religious trap, the people needs to find new heroes that permits them to face the huge challenges of price hike in 2014.
There are no heroes except the people themselves. The 1957 Merdeka Federal Constitution and 1963 Malaysian Federation Constitution can be the model for 28 million Malaysians to unite together as warriors to fight corruption, ensure economic prosperity for all and win the future for our children.