[ Index ]
 

Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the New Year message by the Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 2.1.2004.

The Prime Minister wishes Malaysians to strive for a stable and united country. He asks them to have noble values. We must practise these universal values. But, he must also look into various aspects such as the constrained media.

The Prime Minister says that we must strengthen and enhance political stability, which provides the foundation for a progressive nation.

"Let us together build a nation of which all Malaysians can be proud, a nation that provides and does not marginalise, a nation that enables its citizens of different religions, races, cultures and languages to live together. All citizens had the chance to participate in the political process and in nation-building." he added.

We look at the statement carefully. We would like all Malaysians to work hard for the nation.

Dato' Seri Abdullah wants us to stride into 2004 with a resolve to adopt noble values: moderate attitude, respect parents, teachers, elders, neighbours and society. It is correct to practise these universal values that are found in major religions.

But, he has not talked about the state of our media that lean so heavily on Government policies and views. Yes, we encourage Malaysians to have more knowledge, more skills and more wisdom to face the 2004 challenges. Those who have these attributes do not accept biased media.

We hope that Dato' Seri Abdullah can use the principle of not marginalizing Malaysians with all citizens having the chance to participate in the political process and in nation-building, to investigate the state of Malaysian media. We oppose any attempt to undermine and destroy Malaysian society. But, the PM must be able to accommodate different viewpoints, including the analysis of government policies and the provision of alternatives.