Category: Freedom of Speech

Eight Malaysian MPs join international Parliamentarians to urge Burmese leaders to release Opposition leaders and respect human rights

By Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Tanjung, Lim Kit Siang, in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday, 13th March 1990:

Eight Malaysian MPs join international Parliamentarians to urge Burmese leaders to release Opposition leaders and respect human rights

Today eight Malaysian parliamentarians joined with their counterparts from Australia, Japan, India, the Philippines, South Korea and the United States calling on the Burmese government to lift all restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition leaders and to release the thousands detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of speech. Continue reading Eight Malaysian MPs join international Parliamentarians to urge Burmese leaders to release Opposition leaders and respect human rights

Call for a Constitution Review Commission of Eminent Malaysians to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Malaysian Constitution to conduct wide-ranging constitutional review on parliamentary democracy, human rights, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances

PAPER by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, at the Fourth DAP Human Rights Convention held at Hotel Excelsior, Ipoh on Sunday, 15th June 1986 on HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY AND THE MALAYSIAN CONSTITUTION in the session on CONSTITUTION DEVELOPMENTS in Malaysia – an Overview

Call for a Constitution Review Commission of Eminent Malaysians to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Malaysian Constitution to conduct wide-ranging constitutional review on parliamentary democracy, human rights, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances

Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the Malaysian Constitution, which become a very different document from that of the Merdeka Constitution in 1957, having been amended in over a thousand places. Continue reading Call for a Constitution Review Commission of Eminent Malaysians to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Malaysian Constitution to conduct wide-ranging constitutional review on parliamentary democracy, human rights, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances

Will Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed’s book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’ be one of the prescribed books STPM students are expected to study for the new General Studies paper?

by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday, January 14, 1986:

Will Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed’s book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’ be one of the prescribed books STPM students are expected to study for the new General Studies paper?

The Malaysian Examinations Council (MEG) Chairman, Royal Professor Ungku Aziz, said that from next year, the STEM General Paper would be replaced with a General Studies paper, which is aimed at producing a ‘thinking society’. Continue reading Will Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed’s book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’ be one of the prescribed books STPM students are expected to study for the new General Studies paper?

Enforcement of Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 a grave threat to ‘freedom of press’ and to ‘freedom of speech and expression’

Press Conference Statement (2) by Parliamentary Opposition Leader and DAP Secretary General, Lim Kit Siang, at PJ DAP Hqrs on Friday, 24.8.1984 at 11.30 a.m.

Enforcement of Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 a grave threat to ‘freedom of press’ and to ‘freedom of speech and expression’

The enforcement of Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 with effect from Sept. 1 is a grave threat to ‘freedom of press’ and to ‘freedom of speech and expression’. Continue reading Enforcement of Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 a grave threat to ‘freedom of press’ and to ‘freedom of speech and expression’

Call on Datuk Musa Hitam to ensure that the government does not practice ‘double-standards’ in law enforcement

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Kota Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, at DAP Klang Pasar Branch Anniversary Dinner held in Kajang on Saturday, 7th July 1984 at 8p.m.

Call on Datuk Musa Hitam to ensure that the government does not practice ‘double-standards’ in law enforcement

One important element in determining government credibility and legitimacy, as well as deciding the degree of public confidence in the government, is it fairness and impartiality in the carrying out of its obligations and responsibilities. A government which acts arbitrarily and capriciously for the interests of its leaders or political parties or uses its power to victimize opponents or critics would forfeit public confidence and undermine its own legitimacy and credibility. Continue reading Call on Datuk Musa Hitam to ensure that the government does not practice ‘double-standards’ in law enforcement

DAP calls on the new Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Musa Hitam, to lift the ban on the Prime Minister’s book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, at the Perak DAP State Committee meeting at Perak DAP State premises at Jalan Chamberlain, Ipoh, on Friday, 24th July 1981 at 8p.m.

DAP calls on the new Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Musa Hitam, to lift the ban on the Prime Minister’s book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’

Malaysia has now the dubious distinction of being the only country in the world where the Prime Minister’s most important political book, which made his political reputation and propelled him to the highest political office in the country, is still banned by his own government. Continue reading DAP calls on the new Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Musa Hitam, to lift the ban on the Prime Minister’s book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’

Call on Minister of Home Affairs to have two categories of political parties- one the ordinary one, the other for those more interested in commercialization of politics and making money

Speech by Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Petaling, Lim Kit Siang, at the Klang Pasar DAP Branch Annual General Meeting in Klang, on Wednesday, 24th June 1981 at 8 p.m.

Call on Minister of Home Affairs to have two categories of political parties- one the ordinary one, the other for those more interested in commercialization of politics and making money

In April, the Barisan Nasional government, in the face of nation-wide opposition and protests, amendment the Societies Act 1966 to classify as ‘political societies’ organisations which seek to influence the government to accept their views with regard to any aspect of national policy, whether it be socio-economic, educational, cultural or political questions. Continue reading Call on Minister of Home Affairs to have two categories of political parties- one the ordinary one, the other for those more interested in commercialization of politics and making money

A breach of privilege by the Deputy Minister of Law

Ketua Pembangkang writes to Speaker to lodge official complaint of breach of privilege by Deputy Law Minister, Rais Yatim, who threatened to take action against me for carrying out my duties as a Member of Parliament during the debate on the motion to repeal Essential (Security Cases) Regulations 1975

I have written to the speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Nik Kamil. to complain of a breach of privilege by the Deputy Minister of Law, Rais Yatim, who uttered threats to take action against me, including arrest, if i continued to say what I have said in the Dewan Rakyat on my motoin to repeal the Essential (Security Cases) Regulations 1975.

My letter to the Speaker reads: Continue reading A breach of privilege by the Deputy Minister of Law

DAP decides to boycott Radio Malaysia political broadcast in protest against being allotted only 13 minutes and describes the 1974 General Elections as the ‘most unfair and undemocratic general election’ in the history of Malaysia

DAP Secretary-General, Lim Kit Siang, today issued the following statement:

DAP decides to boycott Radio Malaysia political broadcast in protest against being allotted only 13 minutes and describes the 1974 General Elections as the ‘most unfair and undemocratic general election’ in the history of Malaysia

The Democratic Action Party has decided to boycott the Radio Malaysia political broadcast in protest against being allotted only 13 minutes of radio time. Continue reading DAP decides to boycott Radio Malaysia political broadcast in protest against being allotted only 13 minutes and describes the 1974 General Elections as the ‘most unfair and undemocratic general election’ in the history of Malaysia

Fan Yew Teng’s case – encroachment against basic freedoms

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr.Lim Kit Siang, to a meeting of DAP Selangor State leaders, branch officials and activities at the DAP Kuala Lumpur Branch at 63-D Jalan Sultan, on Sunday, 8th July 1973 at 2p.m.

1. Fan Yew Teng’s case: A test of the people’s will to withstand undermocratic encroachment against basic freedoms.

Three days ago, Sdr. Fan Yew Teng, DAP National Organising Secretary and M.P. for Kempar, was re-arrested and re-charged under the Sedition Act after winning an appeal all the way to the Privy Council on the same subject matter.

It is clear to all that the re-charge is motivated solely by political considerations on the hope of breaking the will of Sdr.Fan Yew Teng and other DAP leaders and activities to oppose the unjust and undemocratic policies of the Alliance, or to bankrupt the party by involving it in expensive litigation, or preferably both.

Of all the opposition parties in Malaysia, no other party has suffered greater persecution or suppression than the DAP, for it is the only party which has dared to stand up unflinchingly for the rights of the downtrodden as amply illustrated by our record in Parliament, the State Assemblies and in public. Continue reading Fan Yew Teng’s case – encroachment against basic freedoms