Unfortunately, we do not have efficient, independent and professional national institutions whether the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the Police, the Judiciary or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to fairly and fearlessly uphold what is right and true as they all have bent themselves to serve the political dictates of their political masters although they vary from the national interests.
Malaysians are entitled to ask why the Home Ministry is completely insensitive, unconcerned and indifferent about the long-standing exploitation of the “race and religious” cards by Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian making a mockery of Najib’s 1Malaysia, while trigger-happy like the latest case concerning the China Press – for wrongly reporting that the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has resigned when his termination would be effective and final in September!
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has denied that the China Press editor is being pressured to resign or face three to six-month suspension of the newspaper – saying that only a show-cause letter had been issued.
Let Hishammuddin answer in Parliament – what is the big deal about the China Press report? It had made a mistake and a correction had been made.
In mature democracies and developed countries, the media had reported about presidents and prime ministers resigning, and if they are proven wrong, correrctions are adequate although the credibility of the media concerned takes a beating.
Why should the Home Minister be breathing down the neck of the media in such a case – unless case can be made out that the report had gravely jeopardised public order or national security?
It would be the height of ridicule for Hishammuddin to attempt any such justification.
These deviations from and challenges of the 1Malaysia concept should come under the scrutiny and ambit of a Parliamentary Select Committee on 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme Roadmap if the Cabinet and Parliament are serious about this national objective.
Let me give notice that I will move a motion to amend the Motion of Thanks to add the words – “and to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee on 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme Roadmap headed by an Opposition Member of Parliament”.
The 1Malaysia Parliamentary Select Committee will not only monitor the implementation of the “1Malaysia, People First and Performance Now” principles, but also the seven clusters of issues and initiatives relating to unity, viz:
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The economy and national unity under 1Malaysia.
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Education and national unity under 1Malaysia.
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Promoting 1Malaysia social interactions.
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Managing religious and cultural polarities.
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Promoting and practicing all-inclusive 1Malaysia politics.
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Towards a truly 1Malaysia government.
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Promoting an all-inclusive 1Malaysia media.
The 1Malaysia Parliamentary Select Committee will also monitor the achievements of the six National Key Result Areas or NKRAs: viz, reducing crime, combating corruption, widening the access to quality and affordable education, improving public transport, expanding rural infrastructure and raising the standard of living of low income group.
[Speech (5) by DAP Parliamentary Leader and MP for Ipoh Timor Lim Kit Siang in Dewan Rakyat on the Royal Address on Thursday, 18th March 2010]