BY Dr Chen Man Hin (DAP Life Advisor)

IDENTITY CRISIS

It was clear that during the 50th Merdeka celebrations there was uncertainty and frustration among the people because they were unsure of their identity. Some were bumiputras, while others were non-bumiputras, Some were called ketuanan Melayu but others were not. They thought they were Bangsa Malaysia (Malaysian), but now they were told by UMNO that they do not accept Bangsa Malaysia.

The Federal Constitution clearly states that there is only one category of citizens. There is no mention of bumiputras or ketuanan melayu, which are actually inventions of UMNO.

Prime Minister in 2004 promised that all citizens in Malaysia are treated equally. He has not reinstated the Bangsa Malaysia status for all citizens.

VOTE FOR CHANGE. Vote for your birthright. Vote for political freedom, political equality and for BANGSA MALAYSIA.

ECONOMIC FREEDOM IS LACKING in Malaysia. It ranks 68 out of 157 countries in the world. Because of this, foreign investments into Malaysia are low compared with Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong. In a global world, liberalisation with a free market economy is important for the economy to progress.

The New Economic Policy has frightened investors from Europe and America. It is also the cause of slow economic growth. since its launching in 1971, the economy has fallen badly behind Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Per capita income 2007

Malaysia US$ 6146 (IMF)
Singapore 34,152
Taiwan 16,246
Hong Kong 29,149
South Korea 19,624

The figures speak for themselves. It means that the Barisan has been telling one big lie to the people. Because of the NEP and corruption, Malaysia is way behind the four Asia dragons. Malaysia per capita income is one third that of a South Korea and one fifth that of a Singaporean.

Bear in mind that in 1970, Malaysia and Singapore started at about the same per capita income level. With the present economic progress in Malaysia, vision 2020 will remain a dream at the targeted date of 2020

VOTE FOR CHANGE FOR PROSPERITY!

There is no religious and cultural freedom.

The modern global world is moving towards religious and cultural freedom. We are a secular state but Barisan’s leaders like DPM Datuk Razak claims Malaysia is an Islamic state. It is therefore not surprising that although there is an inter-faith council, all religions are represented in the council, but not Islam. It is also shocking that the courts have made rulings which imply that syariah law supersedes the jurisdiction of civil law.

Prime Minister Dato Abdullah insists there is freedom of religion, but the syariah court determines otherwise, and refused an applicant to change her religion.

Cultural freedom is also lacking in education. Mother tongue schools are not given the same treatment as national schools. In a multicultural society, all cultures must be accorded just and equal treatment. in practice, the Barisan government gives miserly allocations to mother tongue schools.

VOTE FOR CHANGE. VOTE FOR RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL FREEDOM!.

RULE OF LAW HAS DETERIORATED UNDER THE BARISAN GOVERNMENT.

The shocking revelations of the Lingam Commission of Enquiry indicate that the integrity, credibility and independence of the judiciary have been comprised. The impression is given that judges can be bought and sold like chattels and goods in the market. it is quite evident that rule of law has been corrupted by wheeling and dealing in the courts.

Because the highest levels of justice have been corrupted, it is not surprising that it has a corrupting influence down the chain of administration of law and order.

This has set a bad example for the whole country resulting in a decline of morals and an increasing crime rate. Security has become a major problem, and the people are afraid for their lives and property.

VOTE FOR CHANGE TO HAVE RULE OF LAW, FREEDOM FROM THE THREAT OF INCREASING CRIME!

FREEDOM OF SPEECH CLAMPED DOWN BY BARISAN

Contrary to world trends towards more democracy, the Barisan government has suppressed press freedom more and more. under PM Abdullah, Malaysia’s World Press Freedom index slipped from 104 in 2003 to124 in 2007

Peaceful demos internationally accepted as human rights are outlawed in Malaysia.

Freedom of speech is banned in colleges and universities

This is a regressive law and resembles the harsh ban on free speech in communist countries, and causes them to fall behind in economic development.

Countries like Finland and Norway with free speech, the students and people are inspired with creativity and innovations. they are top countries with the highest per capita incomes and great competiveness.

Reject the backward Barisan’s policies of the communist era.

VOTE FOR CHANGE. VOTE FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ASSEMBLY

CORRUPTION AND CRONYISM HAVE MARGINALISED THE AVERAGE MALAY, CHINESE AND INDIAN AND MADE THEM POOR

Corruption is a cancer eating into the political, economic and social development. Transparency International states that the corruption perception index of Malaysia in 2007 ranked 43 out of 163 countries, far behind Singapore, Denmark, New Zealand.

It is widespread and rampant, every department is affected.

Government contracts are never on open tender but are given to cronies and well connected personalities.

The NEP has legalised corruption. The 30% quota has been used to enrich Umnoputras and cronies. APs for privileged and connected UMNO leaders have made them millionaires overnight.

Unfortunately, poor Malays continue to be poor and they have been marginalised

The average Malaysian whether Malays, Chinese or Indians or indigenous natives has been marginalised.

The 9th Malaysia plan figures show that the average household income per month was

Malay household RM 2711 or RM 540 per person
( 5 persons)
Indian household 3455 or 659 per person

Chinese household 4437 or 880 per person

According to economists, the poverty line for Malaysia is RM 1200 per person. The figures above indicate that the average Malaysian whether Malay, Indian or Chinese is all living below the poverty line

PM Dato Abdullah boasts that the poverty rate has been reduced to 6%, but the average household income statistics indicate that the average Malaysian has been marginalised.!

VOTE FOR CHANGE. VOTE FOR A CLEAN, HONEST AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT