Kit Siang to gov't: Don't derail Malaysian dream

Rather than hand out more guns to curb crime, the government should root out “hate politics and corruption” to avoid derailing the Malaysian dream of a peaceful and safe country for all.

Debating Budget 2014 today, Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Gelang Patah) noted that many live in fear today but that even this has been whitewashed by the government. 

He illustrated this by citing the Johor Bahru Municipal Council’s decision last week to paint over a crime-related street mural by Lithuanian-born artist Ernest Zacharevic following a claim that it tarnished the image of the state.

"There are (now) suggestions from certain quarters to givefirearms to enforcement officers of  religious affairs departments, so that they can defend themselves. So after this, if any journalist is shot dead, (should) reporters also carry guns?" he posed.

Citing the deaths of Mohd Raffli Abdul Malik, Norazita Abu Taliband Hussain Ahmad Najadi, Lim reminded the government of its duty.

"It is the responsibility of the government to take care of at least three things - assets, lives and the dignity of the people. If a leader negates his duties, then (he or she) should be rejected," he said, calling for urgent action.

In the case of Norzita's murder in the Ambank robbery case, he said the suspect is a foreigner from Sulawesi who was able to bypass Malaysia’s security system to even receive a fake MyKad.

"This system is a violation of the rights of the people of Sabah. They live in a very rich country, but are very poor and very differently treated by the federal government," Lim said.

Therefore, he noted, the government should not ignore calls for a review for the 20-point and 18-point  agreements with Sabah and Sarawak, which preceded the formation of Malaysia.

He also lashed out at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, saying that the National Civic Bureau has sown seeds of hate. 

The root of the big problems is the worsening economy, he said.

And the root of economic problems is “none other than an Umno-BN government that lacks integrity, is corrupt and dishonest (and) wastes public money ... to line their own pockets". 

Lim expressed the hope that any form of extremism, even the kind thatdisrupted proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday, will not be repeated.

"This is the disease that is endemic in Malaysia now. This cancer must be removed before the country can be rebuilt with democracy, social justice and integrity to form a nation that rejects extremism and racism ....

"I still hope to see a real commitment by the prime minister and his department, which has a very large fund every year, to implement national reconciliation efforts and not just (issue) slogans to gain political support."