Month: March 1969

A tribute to D.R. Seenivasagam

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a condolence meeting for the late D.R. Seenivasagam hold at the Puchong 14 m.s. DAP Branch on Wednesday, 19th March 1969 at 6 p.m.

We gather here today to honour the memory of Ipoh’s most famous son and Malaysia’s most outstanding opposition leader in the last 15 years, the late D.R. Seenivasagam.

Malaysians have lost a leader and a fearless crusader against corruption, racialism and all forms of social injustice and inequality, whether between the races, languages or even classes.

For 15 years, D.R. Seenivasagam dedicated himself to one noble idea 0 the realization of a equal and just Malaysian society, where there are no first-class or second-class citizens, and where all languages, including Tamil, Chinese and English share official status with Malay, and where is no exploitation of man by man, race by race , language by language.

For 15 years, D.R. Seenivasagam held high the torch of individual rights and liberties against growing government threats from the Alliance. Continue reading A tribute to D.R. Seenivasagam

The Metalex affair

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement (18.3.69):

It is clear that the Director of Anti-Corruption Agency, Inche Harun bin Hashim, had failed to make an independent and thorough investigation last Saturday when I first raised the question of Mr. Khaw Khai Boh being one and the same time a Cabinet Minister and a director of Metalex (M)Co. in 1963, 1964 and 1965, before announcing the result.

Within an hour of my press conference, Inche Harun had already announced the completion of his investigations, and described as ‘unfounded’ the suggestion that Mr. Khaw was a director of Metalex (M) Co. when he was Cabinet Minister.

But Inche Harun conspicuously ignored the most vital part of my statement at the press conference – although he sent a representative to my press conference and took copies of my written statement. And it was this: that my information came from the Registry of Company records and from annual return of the Metalex (M) Co.

Any independent and thorough investigation must involve an inquiry into the Registry of Company records pertaining to this matter. But no, Inche Harun did nothing of the sort. It was only after I had pressed for an explanation for this seeming discrepancy the very next day that Inche Harun instituted ‘further investigations’, and found that it was the company’s mistake in continuing to list Mr. Khaw as a director although he had already resigned. Continue reading The Metalex affair

Mr. Khaw Khai Boh as director of a compamy

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement (16.3.1969):

I must commend Inche Harun bin Hashim, the Director of Anti-Corruption Agency, for the speed with which he completed his investigations as to whether Mr. Khaw Khai Boh was a director of Metalex (M) Co. when he was minister without Portfolio.

An hour after my press conference yesterday, Inche Harun had already investigated into the matter and found my allegation ‘unfounded.’

But both Inche Harun bin Hashim and Mr. Khaw Khai Boh did not explain why the annual returns of Metalex (M) Co. Filed with the Registry of Companies in 1965 still showed Mr. Khaw Khai Boh as one of the directors, when Mr. Khaw had resigned in March 1963 before assuming Ministerial office.

This clearly calls for an explanation.

The death of D.R. Seenivasagam

The death of D.R. Seenivasagam

The Secretary- General of the Democratic Action Party, Mr. Goh Hock Guan, today made the following statement on the death of D.R. Seenivasagam:

“The death of D.R. is a loss to the country and to us who are his friends, D.R. has earned a secure place in Malaysian history as a great fighter for justice, equality, and the legitimate rights of all the people that make up Malaysia.

“Whether it be to save the life of a grenade girl or to defend the fundamental rights of Malaysians or to hound down those who abuse their powers, D.R. has pursued his objective with a gusto that was the delight of his friends and the terror of his foes. Continue reading The death of D.R. Seenivasagam

Public Inquiry into Mr. Khaw Khai Boh’s connection with Metalex (M) Co. Ltd

Statement by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a press conference at DAP KL Branch, 63-D Jalan Sultan, on Saturday, 15th March 1969 at 11.30a.m.

A week ago, on 8th March 1969, at a public rally at Gemas Bahru, Segamat, Johore, I asked the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and the Director of Anti-Corruption Agency, Inche Harun bin Hashim, whether it was proper for a Cabinet Minister to be one and the same time a director of a private firm.

Since, then, the Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, Inche Harun bin Hashim, has said that the legal position was very clear and that no Cabinet Minister can be a director of a private firm at the same time.

Inche Harun also said that his Agency would investigate into any such instance, and would not allow anybody, including the Cabinet, to interfere with its duties and responsibilities.

I have called this press conference to disclose an instance of a Cabinet Minister who was for about three years also a director of a private firm. Continue reading Public Inquiry into Mr. Khaw Khai Boh’s connection with Metalex (M) Co. Ltd

Minister as director of company

Statement by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a press conference at DAP KL Branch, 63-D Jalan Sultan, on Saturday, 15th March 1969 at 11.30a.m.

A week ago, on 8th March 1969, at a public rally at Gemas Bahru, Segamat, Johore, I asked the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and the Director of Anti-Corruption Agency, Inche Harun bin Hashim, whether it was proper for a Cabinet Minister to be one and the same time a director of a private firm.

Since then, the director of the Anti-Corruption agency, Inche Harun bin Hashim, has said that the legal position was very clear and that no Cabinet Minister could be a director of a private firm.

I have called to the Registry of Company records, Mr. Khaw Khai Boh was director of Metalex (M) CO., a manufacturers’ representative for iron and steel, non- ferrous metals, construction materials, tin plates, etc. for the years 1962, 1963, and 1964.

According to the Registry of Company records, Mr. Khaw Khai Boh was director of Metalex (M) Co., a manufacturers’ representative for iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, construction materials, tin plates, etc. for the year 1962, 1963, and 1964. Continue reading Minister as director of company

Lee San Choon and Merdeka University

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Salak South Town, Bungsar, on Thursday, 13 March 1969 at 8 p.m.

I was shocked to read in today’s press that the MCA Publicity Director, Mr. Lee San Choon, had to check to quote Tun Sir Cheng Lock Tan, when he is one of the main detractors of the late Sir Cheng Lock Tan’s life work and struggle.

It was Mr. Lee San Choon who said in Kuantan on May 2, 1968:”The MCA holds that the Merdeka University project is an attempt to deceive the people. It claims to be able to find an outlet for them but in fact will bring them to the end of the road. Nantah is a good example.”

From his statement in Kuantan last year, it is clear that Mr. Lee San Choon regards the Nantah and its sponsors and founders including the late Tun Sir Cheng Lock-Tan who was one of Nantah’s most eloquent advocates, as a ‘big fraud and deceit ’ on the people.

This is probably why the MCA strongly opposes the recognition of Nantah degrees, in violation of the memory of Tun Sir Cheng Lock Tan’s contribution to Nantah. Continue reading Lee San Choon and Merdeka University

Will Inche Harun bin Hashim take action if a Cabinet Minister is a director of a private firm?

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Jalan Meru, Klang on Wednesday, 12th March 1969 at 8p.m.

Four nights ago, at a public rally at Gemas Bahru in Segamat, Johore, I asked the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and the Director of Anti-Corruption Agency, Inche Harun bin Hashim, whether it was proper for a Cabinet Minister to be one and the same time a director of a private firm.

There is no reply from the Prime Minister. However, the Director of Anti-Corruption Agency, Inche Harun bin Hashim, told a local Chinese press, Malayan Thung Pao, that the legal position was very clear that a Cabinet Minister could not be a director of a private firm at one and the same time.

Inche Harun also said that if I have any information, I should give it to him directly.

I am prepared to give him information, directly and publicly. But before I do this, I want an assurance from him that on receipt of my information, he would institute immediate investigations and take all the necessary actions – and that he would not allow the Cabinet to interfere or veto with his investigations and duties. Continue reading Will Inche Harun bin Hashim take action if a Cabinet Minister is a director of a private firm?

DAP calls for all–party meeting to allocate radio and TV time during general elections

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at the Perak DAP State Committee Meeting at Ipoh, on Tuesday, 11th March 1969 at 7.30p.m.

During the forthcoming general elections campaign, the competing political parties should get fair allocation of radio and television time to explain their party platform and programmes to the electorate.

In the past, the Alliance party unilaterally and arbitrarily allocated radio time to the various political parties, with it getting the lion’s share. Apart from other semi-political radio broadcasts, the entire radio network was virtually devoted to alliance propaganda during the general elections.

This is unfair and undemocratic. During general elections, the radio and television facilities should be fairly available to the various competing political parties to put their views to the electorate so that the voters can choose between the various parties and platforms with an informed mind.

The DAP therefore calls for the setting up of an all party committee to allocate radio and television time to the various competing parties in the general elections, on fair and equitable and democratic basis. This should be decided now, and not wait until after Nomination Day. Continue reading DAP calls for all–party meeting to allocate radio and TV time during general elections

Merdeka University and the MCA

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement (11.3.69):

In his speech at Kuala Kubu two days ago on 9th March 1969, the Minister of Local Government and Housing, Mr. Khaw Khai Boh, endorsed the statement by his MCA colleague, Mr. Quek Kai Dong, Member of Parliament of Seremban Timor, that “the Merdeka University was a political scheme to destroy the position of Malaysian Chinese.”

Mr. Khaw Khai Boh and Mr. Quek Kai Dong now want the people to believe that the sponsors of the Merdeka University, like Mr. Sim Moh Yu, Mr. Lu ting Yu, and all those organizations, associations, societies and individuals who have come out warmly in support of this educational project, are “anti-Chinese ,and traitors” of Malaysian Chinese.

Mr. Khaw Khai Boh and Mr. Quek Kai Dong should stop taking the people as feels who can be easily bluffed. Only the Tun Tan Siew Sins will believe such a preposterous statement.

Why did Mr. Khaw Khai Boh and Mr. Quek Kai Dong make such irresponsible and mischievous statements? Continue reading Merdeka University and the MCA