Category: Constitution

Conscience of the Malaysian Constitution

Parliament is now being asked to approve another batch of amendments to the Federal Constitution, this time, a 19-page Constitution (Amendment) Bill running into 48 clauses.

The Malaysian Constitution has probably the distinction of being the most amended Constitution in the world. From a rough count, the Federal-Constitution must have amended close to 1,000 times since Independence in 1957. The present batch of amendments, for instance, involve over 60 amendments. Continue reading Conscience of the Malaysian Constitution

Motion of Thank to His Majesty for this Gracious Address

Speech by DAP Member of Parliament for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, 6th November 1974 on the debate on the Motion of Thank on the Royal Address

I rise to associate myself with the Motion of Thank to His Majesty for this Gracious Address on the occasion of the official opening of the First Meeting of the First Session of the Fourth Parliament.

I wish also to congratulate your election as Speaker. I am sure that under your guidance, this Chamber will be able to fulfil its triple tasks, firstly, to pass laws, secondly to vote monies to meet governmental expenditures and thirdly, and most important of all, as the highest political forum in the country. Continue reading Motion of Thank to His Majesty for this Gracious Address

The disenfranchisement of Kuala Lumpur

Parliament meets today to amend the Malaysian Constitution the second time in three months, and the third time since the reconvening of Parliament in February 1971.

Thanks to the Alliance Government, the Malaysian Constitution has won international renown as one of the most amended and tampered written constitutions in the world.

The history of constitution-gerrymandering by the Alliance Party has rightly given rise to questions about the true intentions of the present move. The history of the changes to the Malaysian constitution is a history of intolerance, the subordination of national interest to petty party considerations, and the lack of a democratic spirit among the top government leaders of the country. Continue reading The disenfranchisement of Kuala Lumpur

Do not abolish the nine Selangor State Assembly seats within and contiguous to the Federal Capital of KL

Speech by Ketua Pembangkang and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on the Constitution (Amendment) 1973 Bill on 26.4.1973

The Malaysian Constitution is probably one of the most amended constitutions in the world. Today this House is asked to give its approval to another fresh batch of constitutional amendments.

The present amendments concern principally two subjects. Firstly, there is the proposed establishment of the Education Service Commission, responsible for the appointment, dismissal and exercise of disciplinary control over teachers and other members of the education service.

Education is a vital subject which affects the future of every citizen in the country, and will determine the future destiny of the nation as a whole. This is amply evidenced by the public consternation and country over the unprecedented mass failures in the 1972 MCE examination. Continue reading Do not abolish the nine Selangor State Assembly seats within and contiguous to the Federal Capital of KL

The Sword of Damocles in Parliament

We, members of the Third Malaysian Parliament who have at last taken our rightful places in this Chamber twenty-two months after our election and suspension, have as our first business the 1971 Constitution Amendment Bill.

No more important bill had ever been submitted to Parliament since Merdeka. No more important bill is likely to come before Parliament in future, assuming that there is still a Parliament. Continue reading The Sword of Damocles in Parliament

Government White Paper on Towards National Harmony

The Government White Paper

The Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, told the joint opening session of the UMNO Kaumn Ibu and UMNO Youth that Malaysia can revert to democratic rule only after Parliament passes amendments to Constitution relating to sensitive issues set out in the Government White Paper, titled “Towards National Harmony.”

The DAP strongly objects to this political blackmail. The government’s proposals should be tabled in Parliament and debated, without any Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of MPs that they will all be sent home and Parliament dissolved if they do not do as they are told.

The White Paper stated that “Parliament is after all the trustees for the peoples of Malaysia; the guardians of the nation’s heritage and hopes.”

If the government sincerely believes in what it states in the White Paper, then it would not blackmail Parliament in this undemocratic and unparliamentary fashion. Continue reading Government White Paper on Towards National Harmony

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