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Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on talks about Malay unity by Umno and national unity by Barisan Alternatif. 11.1.2001.

Recently, Umno, the dominant party in the Malaysian ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, BN, initiated a talk on Malay unity. Then, Pas agrees, but
Keadilan does not. Yesterday. Barisan Alternatif, BA, the Opposition Front, invited BN to a discussion on national unity. The BA invitation is scarcely noticeable in BN-controlled press.

The Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaks of bangsa Malaysia, the Malaysian race, and the 2020 vision, elucidating the concept as a statesman. Then, the November 29, 1999 general election and the Lunas, Kedah, by-election have changed his vision. As a politician, he conjures up talk on Malay unity as a short-term political ploy. Although he says that this will not affect the non-Malays, what he has done is against the spirit of multiracialism. Nevertheless, this call for Malay unity used to produce almost magical effect for Umno. It is no longer so.

Is Dr Mahathir is politician or a statesman? After 19 years as Prime
Minister, which would he rather be?

We hope that he thinks of the long-term interest for the country by
accepting a debate on national unity in the spirit of multiracialism,
instead of confining to only Malay unity. Talking only about the latter
gives the other races the impetus to discuss their respective racial unity.
A disunity of any race is bad not only for the particular race but also for
the other races.

DAP Chairman Lim Kit Siang proposes that the Prime Minister show his
magnanimity by accepting the invitation to discuss national unity.

The BN has always constrained the mass media, affecting democracy. As the media veer towards BN, the people look for alternatives such as Internet. As Malaysians become educated and enlightened, they will not listen only to one side of the story.

TELEVISED DEBATE

BN prattles about democracy. An important basis of democracy is political broadcast. To say that the Malaysian media are free including television report on parliamentary matters and political news is disingenuous.

Political broadcast is what we need. Wishing Dr Mahathir to be a statesman and to concentrate on national unity instead of just Malay unity, we hope that he will consider a televised debate. This will be more interesting and informative than one-sided ministerial broadcasts.

On the one hand, the Prime Minister and his ministers use trenchant language against the Opposition. On the other hand, he thrives on television, ranging from his messages during festive seasons, interviews and special programmes lauding the Prime Minister and his Government. This has gone on since 1957. How many more years will it take before political broadcasts can be more balanced, reflecting the truth and reality.

Political issues such as national unity are important to all Malaysians. All media should publicize them. BN may or may not like the idea. However, a televised debate on national unity will be a good start. It is only a matter of time before there are many citizens who ask for such type of debates.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw