Kow Eng and DAP members resign
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JOINT STATEMENT
I, YB Chua Kow Eng, the State Assemblyman for Bandar Klang and Chairman of
Selangor state DAP, have been asked by my comrades, who share the same views
with me, to be their spokesman in this press conference. They are as follows:
1. Chew Kim Swee (30 years in the party), a former State Assemblyman for
Telok Gadung. 2. A. Pakianathan (20 years in the party) (candidate for
Pandamaran - 1986 and Kg Tunku 1995), Selangor State Committee Organising
Secretary. 3. Chong Tek Hoat (4 years in the party), Selangor State
Committee Memebr 4. Poon Piok Ken (33 years in the party), Chairman of Jln
Meru Branch 5. Lee Eng Hua (20 years in the party), Chairman of Simpang Lima
Branch 6. Foo Ah Mok (25 years in the party), Chairman of Puchong Branch 7.
Tan Siew Eng (6 years in the party), Chairman of Klang Utama Branch 8. Beh
Choo Kiat (15 years in the party), Secretary of Simpang Lima Branch 9. And
other branches committee members and ordinary members
We were extremely upset with the highhanded actions taken against our former
comrades namely YB Liew Ah Kim (LIEW) (32 years in the party), Fung Ket Wing
(FUNG) (23 years in the party) and Wee Choo Keong (WEE) (13 years in the
party). We did consider resigning from the party then, as we witnessed the
gross injustice, no transparency, no freedom and bad governance in the DAP.
But we stayed back in the hope that Lim Kit Siang (LIM), the party's
secretary-general, will push for real reform within the party and to put into
practice democracy, freedom, justice, transparency, accountability and good
governance.
But for the past 6 months after the 1998 party Congress on 22-8-98, we could
not see any changes in the party. Instead of LIM becoming more democratic
and liberal, he became more dictatorial and most, if not all, party
activities were revolving around his son. In fact, the conditions in the
party has gone from bad to worst and morale was at its lowest ebb, and witch
hunting exercise and side lined other leaders, who shared different views to
LIM, became the norm.
Two recent events have caused us to be disillusioned and totally lose
confidence in the DAP under the leadership of LIM which was the determinant
factor that led us to resign from the party, as we could no longer subscribe
to the present directions of the party under the non-leadership of LIM. The
two events are the sudden marriage of convenience between PAS and DAP (where
in 1995 LIM recorded his uncompromising objections against PAS's objective of
setting up of Islamic state and the implementation of Hudud Law) and
arbitrary suspension of our comrade, Yeap Teik Huat, without just cause and
hearing.
We know that there are silent majorities in the party who share the same
opinions as us. In view of the above, we are not prepared to allow ourselves
to be misguided or misled further as it goes against our conscience. Most of
all, we are also not prepared to be a party to misguide and mislead the
Rakyat. We would like to fight for REAL JUSTICE FOR ALL and fight against
INJUSTICE TO MANY FOR THE SAKE OF A FEW.
This is one of the most painful decisions we had to make in our political
life but make we must. We would rather be accused of being a "traitors" to
the DAP by LIM and his cronies then to be guilty of wilful blindness and
forsaking the RAKYAT whom we are protect.
Below are the detailed reasons for our collective decision to resign from the
DAP. As of this moment, I am the Independent State Assemblyman for Bandar
Klang and I feel that I can serve my constituents better under this new
capacity.
1. Loss Of Confidence
1990 was the starting point to lose its political directions and ideologies.
LIM does not practice what he preaches. LIM and his cronies only pay lip
service to the principles of democracy, freedom, transparency,
accountability, justice and good governance and such principles are
constantly used to gain political mileage only. Such fundamental principles
are not only not practiced but consistently suppressed within the party.
2. Dropping of the long-standing objective of "Malaysian Malaysia".
Since the inception of the party, the concept of a "Malaysian Malaysia" has
been the DAP's long established primary objective. Since 1995 several
attempts were made to drop "Malaysian Malaysia" from the struggles of the DAP
but it was not successful. Recently, "Malaysian Malaysia" has been quietly
dropped without seeking the view of the general membership. The dropping of
the "Malaysian Malaysia" was devoid of reason and we felt very aggrieved and
cheated. The DAP has now lost its guiding light. To us, the DAP without the
"Malaysian Malaysia" is like a ship sailing without a compass.
3. Political Inconsistencies and Expediencies, and Double Standard
i. Before 1995 General Elections, LIM led the DAP out of Gagasan Rakyat based
on the sole ground "that Semangat 46 was indirectly aligned with PAS and the
Chinese community can not accept PAS because PAS's primary objective is to
implement Hudud Law and set up an Islamic state".
In October 1998, only some three years later, we have the unfortunate
experience to witness LIM leading the DAP to join Gagasan Demokrasi Rakyat
(GDR) in direct association with PAS in total disregards of the DAP's
previous unshakeable stand. LIM was seen to attend PAS function and PAS top
leaders were often seen at DAP's functions.
It seems that such inconsistencies were not enough. Karpal Singh, the DAP
Deputy Chairman of the DAP, had to suddenly make a public apology to PAS for
his "over my dead body" statement, which was made during the 1990 General
Elections campaign (some ten year ago). What made it worse was Karpal's
explanation that the "over my dead body" statement was made in accordance
with Article 3 of the Federal Constitution, which provide for freedom of
religion. Karpal had to apologise to PAS for exercising his constitutional
right has made a mockery out of the DAP Constitution (Clause II (6), which
provide "To propagate all the DAP's objectives through all lawful and
constitutional means available …") If Karpal had to apology for exercising
his constitutional right, we will not be surprised one of these days when it
suits the DAP top leaders' agenda, the DAP may apologise to Barisan Nasional
government for all the political offensives since its inception.
The recent direct association with PAS and the Karpal's apology (bearing in
mind his reliance on Article 3 of the Federal Constitution) were against what
LIM and other top DAP leaders have been indoctrinating us all these years.
Even for the sake of political expediency, we can not believe that the top
DAP leaders can be so gullible. Both LIM and Karpal have done a disservice
to not only the general membership of the DAP but, most of all, the DAP's
loyal supporters of many generations.
We find the above political inconsistencies and expediencies by LIM and
Karpal unacceptable by any standard both LIM and Karpal would like to set.
What is even more unacceptable is the top leaders do not bother to consult
the general membership before they depart from the DAP long established
political stand.
We would like to make it crystal clear that PAS has their political right to
propagate their political objectives within the boundary of the Federal
Constitution and we pledge to uphold the constitutional right of the
Non-Muslim.
ii. Sometime in April 1998 at a forum at Federal Hotel organised by DAP,
Karpal made allegations of sexual misconduct against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
and demanded that the Government should take action against Datuk Seri Anwar.
Now Karpal is singing a different tune. Karpal filed a defamation suit on
behalf of Datuk Seri Anwar alleging that remarks sexual misconduct, which
were similar to what Karpal had said at the Federal Hotel, were made by the
PM.
iii. During the height of the political problems in Indonesia in 1997/1998,
when Suharto was ousted as President of Indonesia, LIM commented that Suharto
should have stepped down earlier as 32 years in power was too long. LIM even
suggested that no political leader should be at the realm for more than 2
terms (ten years). But LIM has forgotten that he has been at the realm of
the DAP for more than 30 years and yet no attempt has been made to restrict
the tenure of the principle posts in the DAP let alone resign.
iv. LIM has demanded those veteran above 50 years of age should retire and
give way for the younger leaders. But it seems that this does not apply to
him. During the party crisis in June 1998, he leaned over backward to drag
people, who has left the party, back into the party. Even people like Fan
Yew Teng (FAN) was called upon to join despite his open criticisms against
LIM's leadership. Several years back, LIM blocked attempts to bring back
FAN. The then National Publicity Secretary of 13 years standing, YB Liew Ah
Kim, published an article written by FAN, was severely reprimanded by LIM.
Now FAN seems to be in the good book of LIM and has been appointed to chair
important committee. We would like to make it clear here that we have no
objections to FAN joining the party or given important post.
The list of examples of the top DAP leaders' political inconsistencies and
expediencies, and double standard employed for political gains are
inexhaustive. We are only highlighting a few very glaring ones.
4. Freedom
Another familiar political term for LIM and other DAP top leaders is FREEDOM
OF THE PRESS and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. We are sure that Malaysian public
has been repeatedly reminded by LIM of the principle of freedom of the press.
We are very sure that members of the press has been accused and ridiculed by
LIM and other top DAP leaders that their respective newspapers have been
controlled and/or interfered with by the government. We are not saying that
this was unjustifiable or without merit. We, ourselves, will not compromise
in the fight for freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
We would like to point out to LIM that on 2-2-97 at about 3:30 pm when the
DAP Rocket Homepage was launched. The homepage contained an article, which
was not favourable to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the then Deputy Prime
Minister, as it was meant to make the Prime Minister angry. At about 5:00 pm
on the same day LIM was extremely agitated to the extent that he summoned for
LIEW, FUNG and YB Dr Tan Seng Giaw and LIM ordered them to get WEE, the then
National Publicity Secretary, to immediately take down the article concerning
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with a warning that if the article concerned was not
taken down immediately WEE will be removed as the National Publicity
Secretary.
This is another glaring instance of double standard and abused of the word
FREEDOM for political gain.
5. No Room For Dissent or Criticisms
The classic example was the actions that were taken against LIEW, FUNG and
WEE for questioning the political directions of the party at two party
meetings. The very recent example was the suspension of Yeap Teik Huat
(YEAP), a branch Assistant Secretary, for responding to the public statement
of YB Chong Eng, the DAP Deputy Secretary-General, over the sale of the
Penang DAP headquarters. YEAP was suspended without a hearing. Why was Deputy
Secretary-General not suspended?
Anyone providing alternative viewpoints will be immediately classified by LIM
as "KOKS" or traitors. LIM loves to put a name tag on anyone who do not
share his views or the dissenters like what happened America in the 1950's
where the term "Communists" was used to get rid of people in the government
administration. LIM practices McCarthyism in the party very successfully.
From this, one can safely concludes that there is no room for dissent in the
party and there is selective persecution of members of differing views to
certain leader or leaders.
6. Promoting Factionalism Within The Party
Factions were encouraged by LIM in the party in order to destabilise the
state leaders, who have different viewpoints to LIM and his son. LIM
practices divide and rule policy so that he remains in control all the time.
During the party crisis in June 1998, LIM instructed his cronies in Selangor
to organise a secret dinner in Fong Chek Yuen Restaurant with members in
Klang to move a motion of no confidence against the chairman of Selangor
State Committee.
Many states are affected by factionalism. In fact it has now reached a very
serious level and the LIM's controlled CEC did not make any serious attempt to
eradicate or minimise factionalism in the party.
Conclusion
We will not be surprised if they are more leaders and members resigning from
the DAP under the leadership of LIM if he does not change his attitude and
political directions.
28th February, 1999
Taman Melawis
Klang
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