Category: Parliamentary Speeches

On a National Oil Policy

Oil has recently been very much in the news, not only in Malaysia, but throughout the world.

After the Dewan Rakyat adjourned on Dec. 21 for the Christmas and New Year recess, the Minister for Primary Industries announced the same night government approval for price increases for petrol, diesel and fuel oil. Premium grade petrol went up by 34 cents a gallon, regular petrol 24 cents a gallon; gas oil and diesel 11 cents a gallon, and fuel oil 5 cents a gallon.

These are pretty hefty increases, and set in motion a new round of increases in transportation and haulage costs and price rises in a whole range of goods, the end of which we have not seen yet. Continue reading On a National Oil Policy

The plight of fishermen and padi farmers in Malaysia

Speech by Lim kit Siang in the Dewan Rakyat on the 1974 Estimates for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on December 21, 1973

Call on the Malaysian government to have urgent discussions with Indonesian authorities to demarcate the international waters in the Straits of Malacca and to make arrangements to enable Malacca and other Malaysian fishermen to pursue their livelihood in the spirit of ASEAN fraternity and solidarity

Since August this year, the 600 Malacca fishermen of all races have faced great hardships, without governmental assistance or concern.

In August this year, 22 Malacca fishing boats in the high seas in the Straits of Malacca were captured by some Indonesian authorities, and held to ransom.

To secure the release of a boat, the relatives of the detained fishermen were required to pay a ransom of $3,000 per boat.

In the past, the ransom money per boat had only been a few hundred dollars. Then it began to rise, and recently, in keeping with world-wide inflation, it is shot up from $1,000 to $3,000. This means that over $60,000 were paid to secure the release of the 22 Malaysian fishing boats and about 50 men. Continue reading The plight of fishermen and padi farmers in Malaysia

1974 Budget – a disappointment and shame it is not an anti-inflation budget

Twice in his budget speech last Wednesday for 1974, the Finance Minister Tun Tan Siew Sin, described inflation as “our No. 1 economic problem.”

This was in stark contrast to the Tun Tan Siew Sin of June 1971, who gave an assurance that there was no danger of inflation in the country in a big way, when inflation was already in full gallop.

He said, (Straits Times, 14 June 1971): “In fact, I have every confidence that we can maintain price stability as easily in the future as we have done in the past.” Now, he has every confidence to tell of the country that what he has promised to do ‘easily’ has become the No. 1 economic problem! Continue reading 1974 Budget – a disappointment and shame it is not an anti-inflation budget

Mid-term Review: Second Malaysia Plan

We have been given a glowing review of the Mid-Term performance of the Second Malaysia Plan.

According to the Mid-Term Review, the GNP expanded by 11% annually at current prices during 1971-73. This was brought about by the fortuitous high prices for Malay sia’s export commodities such as rubber, timber, oil, which caused the high growth rate of 20 4% in 1973, in contrast to the moderate expansion in 1971 and 1972 when the GNP gew by 56% and 7.5% respectively.

The Mid-Term Review computes the output in real terms as 6.9% per year, on the basis of an average of 4.1% price increase per year, as compared to the Plan target of 6.8%. Continue reading Mid-term Review: Second Malaysia Plan

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 1972 Mass MCE Bahasa Malaysia Failures

I must confess deep disappointment and regret, shared by decisive sections of the people in the country, that the Government in this policy pronouncement has conspicuously omitted reference to the burning issue in the country – namely, the mass failures in the 1972 M.C.E./S.PM, examination merely because of failure in the Bahasa Malaysia paper.

I had hoped that the Government would take this opportunity to show to the people and the world that it is a liberal, broadminded and statesman-like one, which genuinely cares for the interest and welfare of all sections of the population. Continue reading The 1972 Mass MCE Bahasa Malaysia Failures

Call for Royal Commission of Inquiry into the mass failures of non-Malay candidates in MCE Bahasa Malaysia paper and Malay students in MCE science and mathematics

Speech by Opposition Leader and DAP Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat in the debate on the Royal Speech on Wednesday, 17th April 1973.

I rise to join in the expression of thanks of this House to His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, for his Gracious Speech in opening the Third Session of the Third Parliament.

I have listened with attention and interest to His Majesty’s Gracious Speech, as it sets out the government’s policies and intentions for the coming year.

I must confess deep disappointment and regret, share by decisive sections of the people in the country, that the government in this policy pronouncement has conspicuously omitted reference to the burning issue in the country – namely, the mass failures in the 1972 MCE/SPM examinations merely because of failure in Bahasa Malaysia paper. Continue reading Call for Royal Commission of Inquiry into the mass failures of non-Malay candidates in MCE Bahasa Malaysia paper and Malay students in MCE science and mathematics

Remove anti-labour clauses and safeguard and protect the right of workers

Speech by DAP Member of Parliament for Bandar Melaka, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, in the Dewan Rakyat on the 1973 Ministry of Labour and Manpower Estimates on 25 January 1973

1. Call for royal commission of inquiry into the labour laws in the country to remove anti-labour clauses and safeguard and protect the right of workers to a just share of the fruits of their labour. .

Firstly, let me express my disappointment that although we were promised that at this session of Parliament, the Ministry of Labour and Manpower would be tabling amendments to labour legislations in the country, we have not received any Bill or indication. I hope the Minister can tell the workers in the country as to the government’s intentions on this.

The workers are the most neglected lot under the Second Malaysia Plan. There has been increasing labour unrest since the launching of the Second Malaysia Plan, and in the last few months, industrial disputes have come thick and fast.

The Alliance Government’s policy under the Second Malaysian Plan is to have a vast reservoir of docile and cheap labour, to attract foreign capitalists. Unemployment rate is so high that the bargaining strength of the workers are undermined – for the employers can easily dismiss ‘difficult’ workers and replace them with even cheaper labour. Furthermore, they have the blessing of the government. Continue reading Remove anti-labour clauses and safeguard and protect the right of workers

Call on government to democratise and liberalise its mass media policy to permit freedom of speech and information

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

Call on government to democratise and liberalise its mass media policy to permit freedom of speech and information and fair television time for all language programmes

I refer to B.36 sub-head 1100: Gaji and Upahan untok ranchangan atau programming, under the Ministry of Broadcasting.

Since September last year, for almost every night, Television Malaysia telecasts the same programes of Bahasa Malaysia news and Peristiwa (television news magazine) over both channels at the same time.

This means that for 37 minutes every night, a television viewer is offered the same fare over both channels, and he has no escape whatsoever from the blatant government propaganda in the Peristiwa programme. Whether he turns on the first or second channel, he sees the same Minister planting a tree, cutting a ribbon or making a speech. What made matters worse is that this is done during the prime television time between 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

The worst victims are the Chinese and Tamil film programmes which are interrupted no less than three times, and sometimes four times, by other programmes – apart from television advertisement interruptions. Continue reading Call on government to democratise and liberalise its mass media policy to permit freedom of speech and information