Author: Curator

Removal of security of tenure of government servants

(Speech by the Parliamentary Leader, DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on the 1978 Constitution Amendment Bill on December 8, 1978)

Again, Parliament has been presented with another batch of proposed amendments to the Malaysian Constitution, relating to provisions on membership of the Senate, the rights of members of the public service on certain matters, membership of the Education Service Commission and legislation against “subversion and action prejudicial to public order”.

The proposed amendment to Article 135(2), which guarantees that no public servant would ever be arbitrarily dismissed, tantamounts to abolition of this guarantee. Continue reading Removal of security of tenure of government servants

NOC rule in Kelantan

I rise with a heavy heart, for what Parliament is about to do by invoking Article 150 of the Federal Constitution to suspend the Kelantan State Constitution and impose NOC-type of rule in the State is a subversion of the democratic basis of the Malaysian Constitution.

If parliamentary democracy and the Federal-State system is to survive, it is paramount that those in power realise and understand that whatever the political differences or however intense the party rivalries, democratic principles and the fundamental safeguards in the Constitution for a democratic society should not be sacrificed in the furtherance of partisan political interests. Continue reading NOC rule in Kelantan

Call on Police to take action against MP for Kinabalu, Mark Koding, for questioning Article 152 of the Constitution guaranteeing the position of the other languages

Press Conference Statement by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary – General and MP for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in Parliament House on 26.10.78:

Call on Police to take action against MP for Kinabalu, Mark Koding, for questioning Article 152 of the Constitution guaranteeing the position of the other languages

When I spoke in Parliament in the Royal Address debate on 13.10.1978, I draw the attention of the Minister for Law and Attorney – General, Datuk Hamzah and the Minister of Home Affairs, Tan Sri Ghazalie Shafie, to the speech which the MP for Kinabalu, Mark Koding, made in Parliament, calling for the closure of Chinese and Tamil primary schools, the banning of other languages on signboards, and the amendment of Article 152 of the Constitution to allow such measures to be taken. Continue reading Call on Police to take action against MP for Kinabalu, Mark Koding, for questioning Article 152 of the Constitution guaranteeing the position of the other languages

The national budget has not occupied the first place of attention of Malaysians

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary – General and Member of Parliament for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, 23rd October 1978 on the 1979 Budget

For the first time, the national budget has not occupied the first place of attention of Malaysians

This is probably the first time that the national budget has not occupied the first place of attention of Malaysians. There are two main reasons for this. Continue reading The national budget has not occupied the first place of attention of Malaysians

Government ban on Merdeka University 22nd Oct. meeting highly unfair, undemocratic and one – sided

Press Conference Statement by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary – General and Member of Parliament for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in Parliament House on Friday, 20.10.1978 at 3 p.m.

Government ban on Merdeka University 22nd Oct. meeting highly unfair, undemocratic and one – sided

The Government ban on the Oct. 22 meeting of Merdeka University is highly unfair, undemocratic and one – sided.

As the Home Affairs Minister, Tan Sri Ghazalie Shafie, admitted the Oct. 22 meeting called by the Merdeka University Sdn. Bhd. is lawful – but because the Merdeka University authorities intended to proceed with the lawful meeting, the Ministry of Home Affairs has banned it on grounds of ‘public order and national security’. Continue reading Government ban on Merdeka University 22nd Oct. meeting highly unfair, undemocratic and one – sided

Public Declaration of Assets of Ministers and MPs a pre-condition to a clean, honest and incorrupt Government

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary- General and Member of Parliament for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat moving a motion on 18th Oct. 1978 seeking leave of the house to introduce a private member’s bill to be known as Minister and Members of Parliament (Declaration of Assets) 1978 Bill.

Public Declaration of Assets of Ministers and MPs a pre-condition to a clean, honest and incorrupt Government

I rise under Standing Orders 49 to move a motion to seek leave of the House to introduce a private member’s bill to be known as Ministers and Members of Parliamentary to publicly declare assets annually, and that of their next of kin. Continue reading Public Declaration of Assets of Ministers and MPs a pre-condition to a clean, honest and incorrupt Government

Voting rights for the young

(Speech by the Parliamentary Leader, DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat when moving a motion to introduce a private members’ bill to introduce legislation to lower the voting age from 21 years to 18 years on October 16, 1978)

I rise under Standing Orders 49 to move a motion to seek leave of the House to introduce a private member’s bill intituled the People’s Representation Act 1978 to lower the voting age from 21 years to 18 years.

At present, under Article 119 of the Malaysian Constitution, a citizen is eligible to be a voter only when he reaches 21 years of age. The Constitution was drafted 21 years ago, when there was considerable distrust of youth. Continue reading Voting rights for the young

Racial polarisation

(Speech by the Parliamentary Leader, DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat during the debate on the Royal Address on October 13, 1978)

His Majesty, in his Royal Address, called upon the people of all ethnic origins to join hands in support of the noble efforts of the Prime Minister in his task of forging a sense of solidarity among Malaysians. As the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong said: “Emphasis on ethnic, religious, cultural and political differences should not be done on such a scale as to destroy national unity. The spirit of tolerance should continuously be maintained.”

Unfortunately, His Majesty’s advice has not been heeded by Hon’ble Members in this House itself during the debates of the past few days. We hear the voices of intolerance, of rejection that Malaysia is a multi-racial society; we hear voices of extremism and racialism, completely insensitive to the legitimate hopes and aspirations of the various communities in the country. Continue reading Racial polarisation

(Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary – General and Member of Parliament for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, 10.10.1978 to introduce a private member’s bill to amend the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 to clearly provide for the establishment of private universities and university colleges)

Standing Order 49 to move a motion to seek leave of the House to introduce a Private Member’s Bill intituled Universities and University Colleges Act (Amendment) 1978 Bill

I rise under Standing Order 49 to move a motion to seek leave of the House to introduce a Private Member’s Bill intituled Universities and University Colleges Act (Amendment) 1978 Bill to clearly provide for the establishment of private universities and university colleges.

Although the University and University Colleges Act 1971 did not specifically prohibit the establishment of private universities, the Act has been interpreted by Government Ministers and National Front leaders as disallowing the establishment of private universities. Continue reading

DAP suggest a million – people signature campaign for the establishment of Merdeka University

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary – General and Member of Parliament for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, at the DAP Bagan Jermal Branch Solidarity Dinner at Gala Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Jalan Bagan Luar, Butterworth on Saturday, 23rd September 1978 at 6.30 pm.

DAP suggest a million – people signature campaign for the establishment of Merdeka University

At the recent UMNO General Assembly, the Education Minister, Datuk Musa Hitam, made the startling announcement that the Barisan Nasional Government rejected the petition for the establishment of Merdeka University to expand higher education opportunities for our children in Malaysia. Continue reading DAP suggest a million – people signature campaign for the establishment of Merdeka University