Category: Democracy

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

Disenfranchisement of one million people – referendum needed

Speech by Opposition Leader and Secretary-General of DAP, Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Kajang on Saturday, 16th June 1973 at 8 p.m.

DAP reiterates call for referendum by people of Kuala Lumpur on the abolition of 9 State Assembly seats and disenfranchisement of one million people

The Alliance Government, with the full support of the MCA, whether new or old faction, have decided to go ahead to declare Kuala Lumpur a Federal Territory, and disenfranchise one million people by abolishing nine State Assembly seats, namely Salak, Pantai, Bukit Nanas, Kampong Baru, Kepong, Penchala, Sentul, Ampang and Serdang.

Over a decade ago, the people of Kuala Lumpur possessed the basic democratic right to send their elected representative to Parliament to be their spokesman in national matters, to Selangor State Assembly to safeguard their rights in State matters, and to the Kuala Lumpur Municipality to run the local government affairs accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people.

The first casualty was their right to have elected Kuala Lumpur Municipality. Not because of any great principle, but because of the people’s disenchantment and repudiation of Alliance policies and personnel, the Alliance Government abolished elected Municipal Government. Continue reading Disenfranchisement of one million people – referendum needed

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

Coalition politics – politics of consensus or politics of subservience and betrayal?

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, when addressing the Sixth Anniversary Dinner of the Penang State DAP held at Holoman Restaurant in Penang on Saturday, 16th September 1972 at 9 p.m.

Coalition politics – politics of consensus or politics of subservience and betrayal?

I want to pose a question tonight. Is the recent trend of coalition politics in Malaysia the result of the politics of consensus or the politics of subservience and betrayal? Continue reading Coalition politics – politics of consensus or politics of subservience and betrayal?

Democratisation of Malaysian Life

From the Yang diPertuan Agong’s Royal Address, we are confirmed in our belief that the Government has not come to grips with the basic political, economic, social, cultural and educational policies to drift towards national perdition.

There is no vision of a great Malaysia tomorrow. There is only petty pre-occupation with the tools of power today.

Slogan-shouting has taken command of the seats of government, displacing thinking and reason. Continue reading Democratisation of Malaysian Life

Another act of strangulation of the democratic process

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Ra’ayat on the motion to amend the Standing Orders of the Dewan Ra’ayat on Wednesday, 10th May 1972.

Another act of strangulation of the democratic process

The motion in the name of the Finance minister, Tun Tan Siew Sin, on behalf of the Standing Orders Committee, seeks to the House Standing Orders by banning adjournment speeches during the first meeting of each session (i.e. the debate on the Royal Address) and during the Budget meeting. Continue reading Another act of strangulation of the democratic process

Democratisation of Malaysian national life

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang , at a DAP Public Rally held at Dato Keramat Padang, Penang, on Sunday, 26th March, 1972 at 9.00 p.m.

Democratisation of Malaysian national life – the only effective and long-term answer to the Challenge of Militant Communism.

The challenge of militant communism in Malaysia has become graver and more intense in recent months. This is clearly seen by the increase in activities by the Malaysian armed forced, and the number of military operation mounted against the militant communists, like the Gerakan Setia in Sungei Siput area, the Gerakan Ngayau in Sarawak, the Gerakan Sedar in Baling and Kulim districts, the imposition of curfews, the putting up of barded wires in Perak new villages, etc. Yesterday, the Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, announced the grave step of sequestering and quarantining the Third Division of Sarawak from the rest of the state, making it a special security area, virtually under martial law. Continue reading Democratisation of Malaysian national life

Democratisation of Malaysian life

From the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Royal Address, we are confirmed in our belief that the government has not come to grips with the basic political, economic, social, cultural and educational problems in the country, which is today the burning issue for the people of Malaysia.

We continue blindly, in our political, economic, social, cultural and educational policies to drift towards national perdition.

There is no vision of a great Malaysia tomorrow. There is only pretty pre-occupation with the tools of power today. Continue reading Democratisation of Malaysian life

Police intimidation of Malaysians intending to join the DAP

Adjournment Speech by DAP Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Ra’ayat on Thursday, 13th January 1972

Police intimidation of Malaysians intending to join the DAP

Yesterday on adjournment, I spoke of police interference with opposition parties holding political discussions in the privacy of their own premises.

Today, I address myself to another aspect of police interference with democratic right of the people to participate in the political process.

When DAP organizers go out into the towns and villages to organize branches, they are invariably tailed by special branch men who are presumably required to find out who are the local people who are heading the local branch. Continue reading Police intimidation of Malaysians intending to join the DAP

Athi Nahappan Report on Local Authorities

Press Statement by DAP Secretary-General & Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang on10th December 1971

Athi Nahappan Report on Local Authorities

The DAP welcomes the recommendation of the Athi Nahappan Report for the continuation of the system of elected local government in Malaysia.

We regret that the Government, despite its knowledge of the Athi Nahappan Report recommendation since December 1968, should decide to flagrantly disregard the Report’s recommendation and set its mind on abolishing elected Municipal, town and local councils. Continue reading Athi Nahappan Report on Local Authorities