Category: Democracy

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

Call on Dato Hussein Onn and Barisan Nasional leaders to help de-polarise the country by not regarding the DAP votes

Speech by DAP Secretary-General, Member of Parliament for Petaling, Malacca State Assemblyman for Kubu, Lim Kit Siang, at a dinner organised by Kuala Lumpur Central Market stallholders and Ipoh Road wholesale market stallholders at Ming Court Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, 18th July 1978 at 8 p.m. to celebrate the election of Lim Kit Siang, Lee Lam Thye and V. David as Members of Parliament.

Call on Dato Hussein Onn and Barisan Nasional leaders to help de-polarise the country by not regarding the DAP votes as communal votes, but as Malaysian votes seeking legitimate changes in national policies by democratic and constitutional processes

In the 1978 general elections, the Barisan Nasional wanted to wipe out the DAP. This was why they resorted to all forms of undemocratic tactics, like the ban on public tallies which has been criticised also by the former Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the mass disqualification of candidates at Parliamentary and state assembly level, and the control of the mass media, particularly radio and television. Continue reading Call on Dato Hussein Onn and Barisan Nasional leaders to help de-polarise the country by not regarding the DAP votes

A law to prevent defections

I rise under Standing Order 49(2) to move a motion to seek leave of the House to introduce a Private Member’s Bill intituled Members of Parliament (Prevention of Defection) Act, 1978 which would require a election to be held on his resignation or expulsion from the party on whose ticket he was originally elected.

In November last year, I was invited by a Tamil national daily, Tamil Nesan to answer questions submitted by Tamil Nesan readers. One question that was asked was about the detection of Opposition Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen after their election in betrayal of the confidence and trust placed on them by the electorate. Continue reading A law to prevent defections

Lim Kit Siang calls for a full government investigation and a White Paper on the UMNO Youth Leader’s links and associations with Russian communist money

Speech by Ketua Pembangkang and DAP Secretary-General in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, 15th Nov. 196 on the Prime Minister’s Department during the 1977 Budget Committee Stage Debate

Lim Kit Siang calls for a full government investigation and a White Paper on the UMNO Youth Leader’s links and associations with Russian communist money

During my speech on the 1977 Budget on No. 1, I asked for an investigation into the ‘Russian connection’ of the Great Malaysia Line Sdn, Bhd., which runs pilgrim ships to Mecca, as two top UMNO leaders who have been most vociferous about the irreconciliability of Islam and communism were involved. Continue reading Lim Kit Siang calls for a full government investigation and a White Paper on the UMNO Youth Leader’s links and associations with Russian communist money

Political Trends – Problems and Prospects

Speech by Ketua Pembangkang and DAP Secretary-General, Lim Kit Siang, in the Great Economic Debates organised by the Economics Society of the University of Malays on Saturday, 9th Oct. 1976, at the Dewan Tunku Cansellor at 8.00 p.m.

Political Trends – Problems and Prospects

At the close of our second decade of nationhood, Malaysia is beset with as many complex problems and challenges coming from as many directions that it would be quite foolhardy for anyone to attempt to forecast that Malaysia would be like on the third decade of Independence in 1987, let alone what Malaysia would like be in the year 2001. Continue reading Political Trends – Problems and Prospects

Motion unconstitutional, undemocratic and politically-motivated to punish the Opposition.

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday, 31st Oct. 1975 on the Government motion to refer Fan Yew Teng’s question to the Committee of Privileges.

Motion unconstitutional, undemocratic and politically-motivated to punish the Opposition.

The Deputy Minister of Co-Ordination of Public Corporation has moved a motion which reads: “That his House, in view of the conviction and sentence by the High Court upon the Humble Encik Fan Yew Teng, a member of this House for Mengelembu, resolve that the question whether he has become disqualified for membership of this House be referred to the Committee of Privileges and that the Committee be instructed to report on in to this House.” Continue reading Motion unconstitutional, undemocratic and politically-motivated to punish the Opposition.

DAP calls for Rukun Tetangga to be tabled for Parliamentary approval and not enacted as an Emergency regulation.

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, at an anniversary dinner organized by the Selangor DAP in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 18th Sept. 1975 at 8 p.m.

DAP calls for Rukun Tetangga to be tabled for Parliamentary approval and not enacted as an Emergency regulation.

The DAP is surprised that the Rukun Tetangga regulations were not presented to Parliament for approval, but was instead enacted as the Emergency Essential (Community Self- Reliance) Regulations 1975.

This is only the latest in the Barisan Nasional acts in by-passing and belitting the place and role of Parliament, and consequently, the meaning of Parliamentary democracy in the country. Continue reading DAP calls for Rukun Tetangga to be tabled for Parliamentary approval and not enacted as an Emergency regulation.

DAP shocked over arrest of SNAP Leader, Datuk James Wong

DAP shocked over arrest of SNAP Leader, Datuk James Wong

I am shocked to learn of the detention under the PPSO of SNAP leader, Datuk James Wong is his Kuching home this morning.

I call on the government to explain to the people of Sarawak and Malaysia the reason for the detention of Datuk James Wong.

To use arbitrary powers of arrest without trial of opposition leaders can only undermine the people’s confidence in the democratic system and can only be seen nationally and internationally as a further step in the elimination of criticism, dissent and opposition to pave the way for a one-party states.

We in the DAP deplore the high-handed action detention of Datuk James Wong and call for his immediate release.

In this hour of trial of SNAP, we in the DAP express our full solidarity and support in the fight against growing dictatorial trends and attitudes in the country.

Why Sabah police had obstructed the USAP from contesting the ELOPURA State by-election?

Statement by Opposition Leader and Secretary-General of DAP, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, at a Press Conference given by Incik Nuai Chin, Secretary-General of USAP at Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 17th August 1973 at 12 p.m.

Call on the new Home Affairs Minister, Tan Sri Ghazalie Shafie, to inquire as to why Sabah police had obstructed the USAP from contesting the ELOPURA State by-election on August 4

All Malaysians, I am sure, share with me the sense of shock on hearing Incik Nuai Chin’s disclosure as to how the USAP was prevented from nominating its candidate, Dr. Yap Pak Chau, for the ELOPURA Sandakan State seat on August 4, enabling the Sabah Alliance candidate to have an uncontested walkover.

As Incik Nuai Chin rightly pointed out, such high-handed police action makes a mockery of the Alliance’s professed commitment to the building of a democratic society, as enshrined in the Rukun Negara principles. Continue reading Why Sabah police had obstructed the USAP from contesting the ELOPURA State by-election?

Hold local council elections

Speech by MP for Bandar Melaka, Lim Kit Siang in the Dewan Rakyat on 20th July 1973 on the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Bill, 1973.

Call on Alliance Government to honour its solemn pledge to Parliament in 1965 to hold local council elections

The current meeting of Parliament started with the tampering of the Constitution to abolish nine Selangor State Assembly seats and the disenfranchise signing the death certificate for elected local government, by the passage of the local Government (Temporary Provisions) Bill 1973.

With the passage of this Bill, all councillors in all local authorities holding office shall forthwith cease to hold office, it will then be up to the respective State Governments to appoint the members of the Board of Management of the local authorities.

The Alliance record on the question of elected local government is a record of broken promises and breathes of faith to the people and country.

When the Alliance Government suspended local council elections on 1st March 1965, the then Prime Minister gave as justification the threat of Indonesian Confrontation. But he gave a solemn pledge, which I quote: Continue reading Hold local council elections