Make 2017 A Year To Remind Everyone That It Is Because Of Our Differences That We Are Malaysian And Proud To Be One – Whilst Defending Truth, Justice And Basic Human Rights Are Important; Economic Security And Shared Prosperity Will Determine Whether We Can Protect Our Children’s Future From Being Stolen.
DAP wishes 30 million Malaysians a Happy New Year for 2017. 2016 was a challenging year with double-standards being the new normal in Malaysia. Violations of basic human rights descended to new depths, until Zunar can be arrested and charged for sedition because his cartoons are viewed as a national threat; truth treated like a disposable diaper where lies are worshipped by the BN-controlled mass media; and worse of all, those fighting corruption are labelled as corrupt whilst the corrupt, who robbed us of billions of US dollars escape scot-free.
Whilst defending truth, justice and basic human rights are important, economic security and shared prosperity will determine whether we can protect our children’s future from being stolen. Look at Felda’s share price dropping from its subscription price of RM4.55 per share to RM1.55 at yesterday’s closing price, causing huge share capital losses to Felda settlers and shareholders amongst them, losses to EPF of RM575 million, to Tabung Haji of RM848 million and to Pahang state government of RM545 million.
CIMB chairperson Datuk Seri Nazir Abdul Razak says Felda should justify its planned purchase of a 37% stake into an Indonesian company, PT Eagle High Plantations Tbk for USD 505 million At an purchase price of 580 rupiah per share, this is a 173% premium over PT Eagle’s average price in November of 212 rupiah per share. With the Federal government guaranteeing Felda’s bonds and lending, it is not only Felda settlers and shareholders’ future but Malaysian children’s future that could be stolen.
The shock election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States lends uncertainty and even instability and disorder to the global economy and trade. As a trading nation, Malaysians should stay united to face these economic challenges. Instead we are continuously divided along race, religion and background, where even the orang asli feels marginalized and left behind.
Somehow other Malaysians are made to feel inferior or the possibility of enjoying less than equal rights. Just because they are different in ethnicity, religion, background or even in the food that we eat, does not make them less Malaysian. Many have questioned whether those that are different must conform or be excluded from national mainstream, contrary to the Malaysian spirit or opposite to the empty slogan of 1 Malaysia?
Unity and diversity has never seemed so important, particularly when the BN Federal government has failed to defend the spirit of one people under one nation under one Federal Constitution. Instead laws are passed that undermine the very foundation of the Federal Constitution itself.
We should make 2017 a year to remind everyone that it is because of our differences that we are Malaysian and proud to be one. Only then can we resolve our economic difficulties, address the RM52 billion 1MDB scandal, the RM4.2 billon donation scandal, the economic hardships of imposing GST, the depreciation of the ringgit value, and many other financial scandals.
The economic situation is so alarming that the Federal government has little or no money until it could not raise a mere RM50 million in development funds promised to the Chinese primary schools. Is the Federal government so broke until it does not have even RM50 million?
All Malaysians should unite to defend common values that make Malaysia great. First and foremost, by freeing ourselves from fear as well as upholding freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom from want. Malaysians want a fifth freedom – freedom from corruption and unwarranted price rises (whether oil or cooking oil), only then can both Malaysia and our children’s future be saved!