Author: Curator

An Open Letter and Invitation to the people of Sungei Way.

Dear Fellow Malaysians of Sungei Way,

I wish, personally and on behalf of the DAP, to thank all of you who had supported and voted for the DAP in the recent Serdang by-election, and upheld the cause for a Malaysian Malaysia.

Although we did not win, we have laid the basis for certain victory in the coming general elections.

The campaign for a Malaysian Malaysia has just started. The new Malaysian nation we all want is one where there is equality and justice for all races and classes, where there is no first-class or and second-class Malaysian citizens by dividing them into ‘bumiputras’ and ‘non-bumiputras’ ; where no one races, languages and cultures through a ‘one nation, one language, one culture’ policy; where any child can go to school and learn, be taught and examined in his mother tongue where every worker, farmer, hawker, landless and the poor are cared by the government.

But whether we succeed in achieving a Malaysian Malaysia will finally depend on whether there are enough Malaysian men and women of idealism and courage who are prepared to join other like-minded Malaysians to defeat the forces of racialism, feudalism and corruption. Continue reading An Open Letter and Invitation to the people of Sungei Way.

Bukit Bintang- A base for the Malaysian Malaysia crusade

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr Lim Kit Siang, to the Pudu DAP Branch on Monday, 6th January 1969 at 8p.m.

The General Elections, which might be held as early in March, will be the first serious test for the Democratic Action Party since the formation less than three years ago.

The DAP was formed by the idealistic Malaysian who grouped together to bring about radical changes in Malaysian Society, to wipe out poverty, discrimination, corruption, racial prejudice and feudalism.

Unlike other political parties, the DAP is a tightly-knit organization with a collective leadership united on all decisions and policy issues.

This is the secret of the unity, consistency, and coherence of the DAP since its formation.

This qualities are necessary if the DAP is to become a movement, capable of challenging the very basis of Alliance power over a period of time.

We in the DAP are conscious of the fact if that the Alliance cannot be toppled in one year or two years, or in just one general elections. It will take several years, but whether it take five, ten or fifteen years, we in the DAP are resolved to continue the crusade for a Malaysian Malaysia until victory is ours. Continue reading Bukit Bintang- A base for the Malaysian Malaysia crusade

DAP calls for legalisation of existing squatter areas to solve squatter problem.

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a tea party at Puchong 14.m.s on Sunday, 5th January 1969 at 6p.m. to thank Serdang by-election workers and supporters of DAP

The granting of land to the landless, regardless of race, was the first of the DAP’s Serdang Twenty Points, which constituted the DAP’s by-election pledge. Throughout the by-election campaign, the DAP campaigned for a speedy, liberal and humans solution to the grave landless and squatter problem in Selangor and Malaysia.

In Kuala Lumpur alone, there are about 200,000 squatters. People become squatters not because they are born squatters, just as people become thieves, burglars and robbers, not because they are born thieves, burglars and robbers.

They are all victims of social forces beyond their individual control. They become squatters because they could not afford renting a house or buying a piece of land, as they are unemployed or underemployed.

The grave squatter problem in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor is a reflection of the grave failure of the social and economic policy of the Alliance government to provide a decent life for every Malaysian. Continue reading DAP calls for legalisation of existing squatter areas to solve squatter problem.

Teachers and Politics

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, when addressing the Selangor State Committee meeting at Kuala Lumpur DAP Branch premises on Sunday, 5.1.69 at 10a.m.

The Ministry of Education has sacked Inche Kassim Ahmad, national chairman of Party Rakyat, as a graduate teacher of Sekolah Abdullah Munshi in Penang.

It is clear that Inche Kassim Ahmad’s dismissal was because of his activity in an opposition party. If Inche Kassim Ahmad’s had been active in the UMNO, say as Penang UMNO Chairman, he would never have been sacked.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of teachers who are active UMNO, MCA and MIC members and ward leaders, whose political activity are not only encouraged by the ruling party, but who have been awarded P.P.M.s and other titles for their ‘contributions’ to the Alliance.

These Alliance teachers can never be wrong, and are given a blank cheque to do what they want.

But teachers who wish to join and be active in opposition parties are harassed, intimidated and even victimized by the Ministry of Education. Continue reading Teachers and Politics

DAP condemns Alliance government move to amend Constitution to freeze by-elections

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement (4.1.69):

The DAP condemns the Alliance government for its move to amend the Constitution at the next sitting of Parliament, beginning next week, to freeze by-elections until the general elections. Only an undemocratic and irresponsible government will contemplate such a move.

The reasons that have been given by Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak in justification for freezing by elections are flimsy, frivolous and do not bear examination.

Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak said by elections “cost money”, “will in convenience the public” and “embarrass the government.” And that as general elections would be held later this year, it is not necessary to hold by election.

The excuse about money is most ridiculous. Every by election costs money. The general elections cost even more money.

If the Alliance is allowed to set the precedent to tinker with the Constitution and freeze by-elections, in five or ten years’ time, when the Alliance faces the possibility of losing federal power, it will argue that general elections coasts even more money and amend the Constitution to freeze general elections. Continue reading DAP condemns Alliance government move to amend Constitution to freeze by-elections

More branches in Serdang State and Damansara Parliamentary constituency

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a tea party at Serdang Bahru DAP Branch to thank Serdang by-election workers on Tuesday, December 31, at 8 p.m.

DAP to open more branches in Serdang State and Damansara Parliamentary constituency, including in Salak South new village, Kuchai, Puchong, in preparation for the coming general elections

Although we just missed victory in the Serdang by-election because of the splitting of votes by the Gerakan and bad weather in the evening of poling day which stopped many workers from coming out to vote, the DAP has made an impact on the people of Serdang and the country at large. Continue reading More branches in Serdang State and Damansara Parliamentary constituency

In reply to Lim Tian Kaik

The DAP Serdang State by-election candidate, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, who is also DAP Organising Secretary (29.12.68)

I have never seen a more low-class statement than the one issued by the Political Secretary, Mr. Lim Tian Kaik.

Any Malaysian who had been following my statements and speeches in the press and public meetings will know that Mr. Lim’s statement contained a tissue of fabrications, distortions and downright lies.

It is clear that Mr. Lim is being paid over $1,000 out of public funds just to tell lies for the MCA.

Mr. Lim’s statement betrays the character and personality of the writer – completely without honestly and regard for truth.

I hereby, with deliberation and purpose, call Mr. Lim Tian Kaik a liar. If he is a man of honour, he can sue me, and he will have to pay the legal costs.

I regret that I have to use such a strong word as ‘liar’, but there is no better description.

The day of voting and the night of judgement

Speech by the DAP Candidate for the Serdang State by-election, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, who is also DAP Organising Secretary, at the final DAP by-election rally at Sungei Way New Village on Friday, December 27, 1968 at 8 p.m.

Tomorrow, 28th December 1968, is the day of voting and the night of judgement by 24,000 voters of Serdang.

The question is how many of the 24,000 voters will come out to vote and exercise judgement. In the past election, the percentage of voting in urban areas and new villages are always much lower than the percentage of voting in kampong areas. This is not because the voters in urban areas and new villages are politically more backward than the kampong people, but because the Alliance made used of the penghulu system to make sure that every kampong voter comes out to vote, and vote the Alliance.

This element of compulsion does not exist in urban areas and new village. This way why in kampongs, the voting percentage was always in the region of 90 per cent, while the voting per centage in towns and new village around 60 per cent.

This must not happen in Serdang, because a low percentage of voting will benefit the Alliance, and ensure an Alliance victory. Already in the Malay press, M. P. for the area, Mr. Michael Chen, has blatantly called for the Malay voter to vote for the Alliance to help defeat the DAP. Continue reading The day of voting and the night of judgement

Public inquiry into the affairs of Mr. Khaw Khai Boh

Statement by DAP Serdang State by-election candidate and DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a press conference on Thursday, December 26, at 11 a.m.

Last Sunday, at a DAP public rally at Sungei Way new village, I called for an all-party commission of inquiry into the financial affairs of Cabinet Ministers.

I had said Cabinet Ministers should welcome such an inquiry because it would give them an opportunity to clear away the nation-wide impression and believe that their political and financial integrity could not bear public scrutiny and examination.

Since my public call for such an inquiry last Sunday, the Alliance Cabinet has not applied, indicating that they are not prepared to hold such an inquiry. This can only confirm and strengthen the public doubts about the political and financial integrity of Cabinet Ministers.

I had offered to inform such an inquiry of an improper relationship between an Alliance Cabinet Minister and private business, where there appears to be a prima facie case of conflict of interest between public duty and private and personal interests. Continue reading Public inquiry into the affairs of Mr. Khaw Khai Boh

The choice before the people of Serdang

Speech by the DAP Serdang State By election candidate, Mr. Lim Kit Siang who is also DAP Organising Secretary, at the first DAP by-election rally at Salak South New Village on December 26, 1968 at 8 p.m

On Saturday, 28th December, 1968, the 24,000 voters of Serdang will decide who is to be their next Assemblyman.

The choice before them is a very simple one: whether they want the Alliance to succeed, or whether they want the DAP to win.

There is no third or fourth choices, because the Serdang by-election is a battle between the DAP and the Alliance.
A vote for the Gerakan, or a boycott vote, will be a vote in aid of the Alliance, in that it will reduce the DAP’s votes, and brighten the chances of the Alliance in the by-election. Continue reading The choice before the people of Serdang