Author: Curator

Lim Kit Siang accepts debate challenge by Dr. Naguib Alatas of Gerakan

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today (5.11.1968) issued the following statement:

I accept the challenge by the Gerakan leader, Dr. Syed Naguib Alatas, to a debate on the Gerakan’s cultural policy as expounded by him publicly before.

Dr. Alatas statement was a shocking diatribe of cheap and vulgar abuse. I do not propose to descend so low however to trade abuse and name-calling with the learned academician. Continue reading Lim Kit Siang accepts debate challenge by Dr. Naguib Alatas of Gerakan

Malaysia in danger of becoming a “second Nigeria”

The Organising Secretary of the Democratic Action Party, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, last night spoke of the danger of a ‘second Nigeria’ in Malaysia if Malaysians could not discuss and solve the racial problem in the country in a sober, intelligent and rational manner.

Mr. Lim was speaking to the Penang DAP Branch in Bishop Street here on “Have We learnt from the Lessons of the Racial Disturbances in Penang and North Malaya last year?”, to which his reply was ‘No’.

Mr. Lim said that until January 1966, Nigeria in Africa and Malaysia in Asia were held up as shining examples of multi-ethnic democracies. Continue reading Malaysia in danger of becoming a “second Nigeria”

DAP elections bureau

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, to members of the Penang Utara DAP Branch on Tuesday, November 5, 1968

The Central Executive Committee of the Democratic Action Party will meet this Sunday in Kuala Lumpur to further review party preparations for the general elections.

The Central Executive Committee has set up an elections bureau, which will study the constituencies the DAP should contest, and the nomination of candidates.

The DAP will not make the mistakes some opposition political parties committed in the past, in fielding a large number of candidates to lose their deposits. Continue reading DAP elections bureau

DAP calls for withdrawal of FAMA Fish Marketing Board Scheme

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at the DAP public rally at Jelupang on Sunday, 3rd Nov, 1968 at 8 p.m.

The DAP calls for the withdrawal of the FAMA Fish Marketing Board Scheme as the FAMA has been unable to explain to the public and the fish industry how its proposed scheme could benefit all concerned.

On the contrary, it is clear to all who read the proposed FAMA Fish Marketing Board Scheme that if the scheme is implemented, everyone, whether it be the wholesaler, fishmonger, fishermen or consumer, will suffer. The scheme, as it stands, will disrupt and dislocate the fish trade and raise the price of fish.

It will also provide considerable room for corrupt practices by Board officials, which will add to the hardships of the fishmongers, fishermen and the public.

In reply to my recent call for a clear-cut explanation to the public as to how the proposed scheme could benefit the fishermen and fishmongers, the FAMA Deputy Chairman, Inche Abdul Aziz bin Yasin, said that all the fishmongers and fishermen he had met supported the scheme.

One wonders whether these fishmongers and fishermen were figments of imagination of the FAMA authorities.

For the past week, the press had been full of opposition to the proposed scheme, not only from fishmongers, both retail and wholesale, but also from fishermen as well. Not a single organisation had voiced support for the scheme.

The biggest worry that has been aroused by the FAMA scheme is that this is an excuse for the government to control the fish trade, and manipulate it to benefit only a small section of people.

In the interest of public welfare, we urge the FAMA to withdraw the marketing board scheme. If the government genuinely wishes to help improve the lot of fishermen, then it should draw up a scheme after consultation with the fishermen and fishmongers, and their representative organisations.

Audited on 2021-03-05

Code of conduct for political parties at elections

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at the DAP public rally at Lawan Kuda, Gopeng, on Saturday, 2nd November 1968 at 8 p.m.

The Sarawak National Party (SNAP) last week called for the establishment of an all-party elections commission to draw up a code of conduct for political parties at the forthcoming general elections.

A code of conduct for the general elections is very necessary in order to forestall dishonest and unscrupulous politicking during elections. This is why the DAP had also called for such an all-party commission to draw up an electoral code at the end of last year.

From past election experiences, the ruling Alliance had always been guilty of dishonest and unscrupulous politicking.

In any parliamentary democracy, there is a clear-cut distinction between the ruling party and the government. This should be particularly marked during the general elections period. Continue reading Code of conduct for political parties at elections

Lim Kit Siang replies to Dr. Syed Naguib Alatas

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement (1.11.68):

At the Gerakan public rally in Seremban last Saturday, Dr. Syed Naguib Alatas said he did not understand the meaning of ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ as advocated by the DAP.

This is a real surprise. If it is true that Dr. Syed Naguib Alatas does not understand the meaning of ‘Malaysian Malaysia’, then the learned doctor needs more political education than I thought.

I suggest Dr. Syed Naguib Alatas ask his present Gerakan colleague, Dr. Lim Chong Eu, as to the meaning of ‘Malaysian Malaysia’, as Dr. Lim Chong Eu was once, with his now defunct-United Democratic Party, in the Malaysian Solidarity Convention in 1965 which launched the ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ campaign.

If Dr. Lim Chong Eu is unable to enlighten Dr. Syed Naguib Alatas, I am prepared to explain the meaning of ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ to him at any public forum he cares to arrange. Continue reading Lim Kit Siang replies to Dr. Syed Naguib Alatas

Proposal for good behaviour prisoners

The proposal to allow good-behaviour prisoners at the end of their sentence to have weekly family reunion is an enlightened and progressive one, as it will help to condition them to return to normal family life.

It is in keeping with the modern emphasis on the rehabilitation aspect of the penal system, instead of on the penalty aspect. Continue reading Proposal for good behaviour prisoners

DAP welcome halt of American bombing in North Vietnam

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement (1.11.68):

The Democratic Action Party welcomes the halt of American bombing in North Vietnam.

A light has at last appeared at the end of the long tunnel towards a Vietnam settlement.

The bombing halt was motivated largely by President Johnson’s determination to be remembered in history as the man who ended the costly and disastrous Vietnam war, although he was the person who escalated it, and to bolster the chances of Vice President Hubert Humprey in the November 5 American Presidential elections. Continue reading DAP welcome halt of American bombing in North Vietnam

Press Statement to Bernama on FAMA Fish Marketing Board Scheme

Press Statement to Bernama (31.10.68)

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today urged the FAMA Chairman, Senatar Ghaffar bin Baba, to explain clearly to the public how the proposed FAMA Fish Marketing Board scheme would benefit the fishmongers, the fishermen and the consumers.

Mr. Lim said that unless the FAMA could do this, it should withdraw the fish marketing board scheme even without an inquiry. He warned that it would be very costly to experiment with an item like fish, which perishes easily.

Mr. Lim added: “As the proposed FAMA scheme stands, its implementation will disrupt the fish trade, and cause untold hardships to the wholesales, retailers and the fishmongers, and raise the price of fish for the consumers.

“The FAMA must explain clearly the benefit of the scheme to the fish industry and the public or its silence must be regarded as inability to produce reasons.

“The extension of the one-month period for the closing of objections to the scheme which was announced by Senator Baba yesterday is inadequate. There are many interested persons in the country who still have not got the objection forms, or ample opportunity to study the proposed scheme. This is why we had asked for a two-month extension.”

The DAP Deputy Secretary-General, Daing Ibrahim bin Othman, has urged the government to suspend the implementation of the new regulation lowering the retiring age of civil servants from 60 to 55.

He said the bringing into force of the regulation tomorrow will create havoc to the life of 170,000 officers who will be affected.

Daing Ibrahim said these officers had served the government faithfully, and had looked forward to another five years of active service. They had also planned their next five years in this anticipation, committing themselves to housing loans, children’s education, and other involvements.

To retire them now, or even after six months’ grace, will be cause great hardship.

Daing Ibrahim suggested that the regulation should come into force only five years from now, so that no government officer will suffer any loss through no fault of his own.

Audited on 2021-03-05

FAMA to explain clearly to the public how the proposed scheme would benefit fish industry

The DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, today urged the FAMA Chairman, Senator Ghaffar bin Baba, to explain clearly to the public how the proposed FAMA Fish Marketing Board scheme would benefit the fishmongers, the fishermen and the consumers.

Mr. Lim said that unless the FAMA could do this, it should withdraw the fish marketing board scheme even without an inquiry. He warned that it would be very costly to experiment with an item like fish, which perishes easily.

Mr. Lim added: “As the proposed FAMA scheme stands, its implementation will disrupt the fish trade, and cause untold hardships to the wholesales, retailers and the fishmongers, and raise the price of fish for the consumers. Continue reading FAMA to explain clearly to the public how the proposed scheme would benefit fish industry