Chian Heng Kai and Chan Kok Kit: Detention under ISA

This is the 20th anniversary of Malaysia since Independence in 1957, but the basic issues of nation building remain unresolved.

The big question, what type of Malaysian nation we are building, has not been answered with satisfaction, assurance or certainty.

There are significant numbers of those who refuse to accept the reality and fact that Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious nation, and that any other basis of nation building can only bring division, disintegration and disaster. Continue reading Chian Heng Kai and Chan Kok Kit: Detention under ISA

DAP CEC dicides to send a delegation to meet Prime Minister, Dato Hussein Onn

DAP CEC dicides to send a delegation to meet Prime Minister, Dato Hussein Onn, to seek the release of DAP MP for Batu Gajah, Sdr Chain Heng Kai and DAP Assistant NAtional Treasurer, Sdr Chan Kok Kit

The DAP Central Executive Committee, at an emergency meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 8th Nov. 1976 called to discuss the detention of DAP MP for Batu Gajah, Sdr. Chian Heng Kai and DAP Assistant National Treasurer, Sdr. Chan Kok Kit, decided to send a delegation to meet the Minister, Dato Hussein Onn, to seek for their immediate release. Continue reading DAP CEC dicides to send a delegation to meet Prime Minister, Dato Hussein Onn

Reply to Syed Jaffar Albar

Statement by Opposition Leader and DAP Secretary-General, Lim Kit Siang, at a Press Conference held at Parliament House on Wednesday, November 3rd, 1976 at 2.00 p.m.

Reply to Syed Jaffar Albar

First let me dispose of Tan Sri Syed Jaffar Albar. He asked me to repeat outside the House what I said in Parliament. I stand by what I have said in Parliament, which is to call for an investigation into the Great Malaysian Line Sdn. Bhd., which runs pilgrim ships to Mecca. Continue reading Reply to Syed Jaffar Albar

The DAP condemns the arrest under the Internal Security Act of Abdul Rasak Ahmad, Chairman of the Johore PSRM

Statement issued by Sdr. Lim Kit Siang, DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka in Melaka to-day:

The DAP condemns the arrest under the Internal Security Act of Abdul Rasak Ahmad, Chairman of the Johore PSRM.

The DAP opposes the use of arbitrary powers of arrest without trial against critics and opponents of the government and is deeply concerned at the growing trend of repression through the massive use of the Internal Security Act as evidenced by mass arrests recently.

The DAP is prepared to work with other political parties and all civil rights organisations on the common question of opposing arrests under the Internal Security Act so as to ensure that there is a more meaningful democratic system in Malaysia.

DAP Central Executive Committee has decided that Sdr. Ibrahim bin Singgeh, Deputy Secretary-General and State Assemblyman for Tapah Road, will be the Mentri Besar of Perak if DAP captures the Perak State in the coming general elections

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, at a DAP Public Rally at Taiping, 21st July 1974 at 6 p.m.

1. DAP Central Executive Committee has decided that Sdr. Ibrahim bin Singgeh, Deputy Secretary-General and State Assemblyman for Tapah Road, will be the Mentri Besar of Perak if DAP captures the Perak State in the coming general elections

On Friday night, in Petaling Jaya, The DAP Central Executive Committee met to discuss in depth the problems and questions connected with the coming general elections, which is generally expected to be held from August 8 – 24.

The Central Executive Committee took a number of important decisions. Tonight, I wish to announce one of these important decisions. Continue reading DAP Central Executive Committee has decided that Sdr. Ibrahim bin Singgeh, Deputy Secretary-General and State Assemblyman for Tapah Road, will be the Mentri Besar of Perak if DAP captures the Perak State in the coming general elections

The abolition of the Internal Security Act and the release of all political detainees will be one of the key DAP issues in the coming general elections

Speech by DAP Secretary-General and Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Lim Kit Siang, ata DAP Public Rally at Jatong New Village, Sungei Siput, on Saturday, 20th July 1974 at 7 p.m.

1. The abolition of the Internal Security Act and the release of all political detainees will be one of the key DAP issues in the coming general elections

In the coming general elections, one of the major policy issues which the party will campaign on will be the abolition of the Internal Security Act and the release of all political detainees. Continue reading The abolition of the Internal Security Act and the release of all political detainees will be one of the key DAP issues in the coming general elections

Hunger strike by political detainees

During the last Budget session three months ago, I had called for a Commission of Inquiry into the hunger-strike conduction by political detainees at Batu Gajah and Taiping detention camp.

At that time, we were not in position of the full facts. On February 16, 1974, thanks to the Minister of Home Affairs, I visited the Batu Gajah detention camp and met representative of the political detainees.

From the accounts which they told me about the circumstances causing the 47-day hunger by over 200 political detainees from 29th Dec. 1973 to Feb. 12, 1974, the events during the strike, I am more than convinced that there is a prima facie case warranting a commission of inquiry into allegations of physical violence and atrocities perpetrated on the detainees by warders and FRU men. Continue reading Hunger strike by political detainees

DAP calls for repeal of Internal Security Act and closure of Taiping detention camp

Speech by Ketua Pembangkang and DAP Secretary-General, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at a Taiping DAP Solidarity Dinner organized by the Taiping DAP Branch at Kwongtung Association, Temple Street, Taiping, on Saturday, 8th December 1973 at 7p.m.

DAP calls for repeal of Internal Security Act and closure of Taiping detention camp

Taiping, which means Great Peace, is now acquiring new identification which I am sure the people of Taiping do not relish.

This is Taiping becoming the headquarters of political detention in West Malaysia, with the closure of the Batu Gajah and Muar detention camps.

The Internal Security Act, which permits detention without trial for indefinite duration, is an Act which offends the rule of law and natural justice.

We have seen so many people detained indefinitely without good reason under the Internal Security Act that this measure can only be seen as a highly oppressive instrument to stamp out dissent and opposition.

Examples that easily come to mind are Hamid Tuah, the peasant champion, who was put behind bars for two years for his courage and conscience for championing the cause of the landless in Malaysia. Another example is the PSRM State Assemblyman from Pahang, Dzulkifli bin Ismail, whose reason for detention is equally flimsy and untenable. Continue reading DAP calls for repeal of Internal Security Act and closure of Taiping detention camp

Call for a Commission of Inquiry into the conditions in the prisons and detention camps

Speech by DAP Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on the Home Affairs Ministry estimates for 1973 on 24th Jan 1973

1. Calls on Government to (a) let the Selangor Chinwoo Association time to set its house in order and (b) advance grant of $500,000 to it to tide over its financial difficulties to preserve Chinese culture in Malaysia

I refer to B.32 (p.275) on Pendaftar Pertubuhan.

On Dec. 26 last year the Registrar of Societies deregistered the Selangor Chinwoo Association. Since them, the court has granted an order directing the Registrar’s deregistration order to be set aside. We understand that the Attorney General has filed a writ in chambers to set aside this High Court order.

I do not intend to go into the legal merits or demerits of these maneuvers as it would be sub judice.

However, I wish to find out why the Registrar of Societies and the Minister concerned could not have given the Selangor Chinwoo Association more time to straighten out its affairs, as reason for deregistration was failure to submit its financial statements to the Registrars.
Continue reading Call for a Commission of Inquiry into the conditions in the prisons and detention camps

Hamid Tuah and landlessness

Speech by DAP Secretary-General, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at the general meeting of the Kuala Klawang DAP Branch at 3 p.m. on Saturday, 31st July 1971 in Negri Sembilan

Hamid Tuah and landlessness

In Parliament yesterday, the Minister for National and Rural Development, Inche Ghafar Baba, in attempting to justify the detention of peasant leader, Hamid Tuah, under the Internal Security Act, said that the government could not allow people to open up land without government permission.

He said: “If this were allowed, only the rich would become richer. The poor could only open up land with their bare hands whereas the rich could clear vast areas in no time because they had money.” Continue reading Hamid Tuah and landlessness