Since Merdeka, two million Malaysians have migrated overseas because
they do not see a future for themselves and for Malaysia. It is time
that we don't live in our past that is filled with hatred and fear. We
should look to the future filled with hope and harmony between all Malaysians.
To put the past behind us, we must stop the politics of race and religion.
To put the past behind us, we must end corruption.
To put the past behind us, we must abolish the suppression,
oppression, repression of our basic human rights and freedoms.
To put the past behind us, we must demand good governance and
performance from our ministers.
To attain peace Malaysians must stand united and reject those who wish
to divide us by preaching racial and religious hatred. If we want to
benefit from equal opportunities and realize our human potential we
must stop extremists from continually degrading others as inferiors so
as to uplift ourselves. Why should Allah not be allowed to be used in
the Bible when it is used in the Middle East?
We can only achieve harmony together. Despite our differences and diversity,
Malaysians can make our common aspirations of freedom, justice,
democracy and truth come true if we remember key values.
That it is not who we are that is important, but what we are that is
important; not the colour of our skin that is important but the
content of our character; and not our past ancestry that is important
but how we connect with the present and with each other to face the
future.
We can only be prosperous together. The time has come to focus on the
economy, in employment, education and business opportunities as the
conditions for prosperity.
We must build human talent and be performance-based.
For those who say that PR do not know how to govern, the 4 PR states
of Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan have proven our ability by
beating the other 10 BN states by attracting RM25 billion in
investments comprising 53% of Malaysia's total investments of RM47.2
billion in 2010. For the first time in history, Penang is now the new
champion of investments in Malaysia, coming out top in 2010 with RM
12.2 billion.
To put the past behind us, we must end corruption.
Barisan Nasional cannot reform to end corruption. Remember, if we do not end
corruption, Malaysia dies. If we end corruption, BN dies. The choice is clear.
To put the past behind us, we must abolish the suppression,
oppression, repression of our basic human rights and freedom. How can
we have a clean government when we do not have clean elections?
We do not want our children to live in fear of oppressive laws as we
have lived. A Pakatan Rakyat government will abolish the UUCA, the
Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act and restore
local government elections.
When can we find justice for Teoh Beng Hock, Ahmad Sarbani and A
Kugan? When will we have Freedom of Information & Freedom of Speech?
When can we have justice that is not only done, but is seen to be
done.
To put the past behind us, we demand good governance and performance
from our ministers.
Malaysia can be an international and intelligent country. We must have digital
intelligence with broadband connectivity. We must also have integrity
intelligence, so ensure that only honest people are the
decision-makers. We must have institutional intelligence under the
rule of law. We demand good governance and performance from our
ministers.
Has the Transport Ministry done its duty to run our airports and
seaports well? Look at the Penang International Airport whose
completion has been delayed more than 3 times.
And the Penang Port is to be reduced to be a feeder port and
privatized to a 3rd party at the expense of Penangites. Why is there
no consultation with the people of Penang to restore the port to its
former glory? Instead of looking after airports and ports, the
Transport Ministry is more interested in vehicle registration numbers
and wants to increase the maximum traffic fines to RM2,000.
Director-General of Tourism is wrongly charged of corruption but the
Tourism Minister finds nothing wrong with spending RM1.8 million in
doing up her Facebook page, when we all know that it can be done for
free.
The Health Ministry wants to privatise healthcare when it should be a
public good given as an affordable right to all Malaysians. Why allow
the wastage of public funds and affect the quality and affordability
of drugs when drugs are bought through a middleman at higher prices
when it could be bought cheaper direct from the manufacturers, some of
which are operating in Malaysia.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry opposes local government
elections in Penang, denying our fundamental democratic right to elect
our councillors and our mayors.
We believe that Malaysians deserve better. For the last 50 years, the
wealth of the nation has been robbed. Let us protect the future of our
children by ensuring we have a people-centric government that protects
you instead of harming you, that rewards you instead of stealing from
you, that respects you instead of abusing your rights. Let us clean up
Malaysia to save our children's future.
We must put the past behind us where profits matters more than our
health. Lynas concerns all of us because if Lynas is allowed to
operate, Barisan Nasional will proceed with building two nuclear
reactors. If we continue to put health above profits, what is the use
of having all the money in the world if you cannot enjoy it healthily?
The next elections shall be fought on the economy. We refuse to allow
BN to use race as the issue in the next elections. We need to increase
the incomes of our poor or else they will fall victims to the Ah
Longs. For example, Bank Negara's Annual Report 2010 revealed that
Malaysia's household debt at the end of 2010 was RM581 billion or 76
per cent of GDP, thus giving us the dubious honour of having the
second-highest level of household debt in Asia.
In addition, the Malaysian household debt service ratio stood at 47.8
per cent in 2010, meaning that nearly half of the average family's
income goes to repaying debts. As a rule, banks would not lend money
to those whose total servicing of loans exceeded one third of their
income. In other words, we are spiralling into an indebted nation.
According to the New Economic Model documents, the bottom 40% of
Malaysian households are living with a monthly average income of
RM1,500 (and three-quarters of them are bumiputera) while 60% of the
households (of four persons averagely) live with a less than RM3,000
income, which is near subsistence if one lives in the cities.
These are families living in fear. We will help them live with dignity
and not in fear, by increasing their incomes and cutting down their
costs, with a minimum wage, getting rid of monopolies, expanding
internet connectivity and encouraging creativity, innovation and
productivity.
South Korea is a very good example of a nation that chose democracy,
performance and freedom of opportunity to become a developed country.
With a population of 48 million, its GDP per capita of USD20,000 is
more than double Malaysia's. But in 1970, South Korea's per capita GDP
was only USD260 compared to Malaysia's USD380. We used to regularly
beat South Korea at football. And now our children are fans of K-pop
culture and their football team are regulars at the World Cup.
Only when we free ourselves of fear of change, can we be free to
prosper. BN cannot change.
They need to be changed, for BN wants to rule by fear.
Thomas Jefferson has said "When the governments fear the people, there
is liberty.
When the people fear the government, there is tyranny". The choice is
yours, my friends. I urge you - Let us change so we can have liberty
and live with dignity.
*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary General & MP for Bagan
...........................
Below is the photo of YAB Lim Guan Eng
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