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Need to abolish the Federal Constitution to implement a new system such as an Islamic State Abstract of the speech by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong during the Federal Territory DAP meeting at the Federal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on 9 May 1999. | |||||||
| According to the Federal Constitution, the Government will have just over one year to hold general elections. The Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad will have to consider many factors before making the decision. The 22-month economic crisis, viral epidemic, Guan Eng and Anwar cases as well as other issues have shaken up the country; UMNO internal confusion attracts attention. Whatever date Dr Mahathir chooses, DAP will choose constituencies according to previous practice. In the 1995 general elections, DAP contested in six constituencies in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur: Cheras, Seputeh, Segambut, Bukit Bintang, Bandar Tun Razak and Kepong. The atmosphere is more favourable to DAP than that in 1995. DAP will try its best to deny BN two-third majority. Clear public stand to deny BN two-third majority and oppose resolutely the establishment of Islamic State. Our country's parliamentary democracy is based on the Federal Constitution. Although there is an outward appearance of parliamentary democracy, the people will have to try continuously to fill in the contents. Whatever it is, to change the system and to replace it with another system such as the Islamic State, the federal constitution has to be amended or annulled. It will need two-third majority to amend or annul the constitution. Now BN has five-sixth majority in Parliament. It can do what it likes. To achieve the above objective, we have to cooperate with other opposition parties | |
such as PAS. BN especially MCA has said that DAP has a secret agreement with PAS to form Islamic State. MCA President Dato' Seri Ling Leong Sik has expressed this view. This type of statement can be regarded as unpatriotic. If Dato' Ling keeps on doing it, DAP will have to rebut, explaining the truth. In a multi-religious country, we must be tolerant, avoiding sensitive religious issues. But, if people like Dr Ling persist, we will have to bring up the outward process of islamization as implemented by BN (UMNO) such as International Islamic University, Islamic Economic System, Islamic Insurance, Islamic Bank (not just one but now two) and so forth. If we keep on bringing these things up, it may be misconstrued. It may become sensitive. No matter how successful a political party is in the general elections, it is impossible for a single party to get two-third majority in this country. It has to be a coalition such as the Barisan Nasional. We must try our best to deny the Barisan Nasional the two-third majority that is important to the coalition's psychology. Whatever the rhetorics, the voters are now more exposed and more able to think for themselves what is the best for the society. For one thing, Internet will be increasingly important in future elections. The coming elections will see the use of Internet for electioneering for the first time in the history of the nation. The voters who access Internet will have to decide what is right and wrong. Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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