GEORGE TOWN: Former Gerakan and MCA strongman Lim Boo Chang has moved to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), citing the emergence of a two-party system in Malaysian politics as a persuading factor to join the federal Opposition party.
PKR adviser and de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced Lim’s membership during his visit to Penang yesterday.
Lim, who led 351 of his supporters to join PKR, said the decision was made "after careful evaluation of the present political scenario of our country and a deeper understanding of the political objectives of PKR".
There was a minor stir in the City Stadium when Lim showed up smiling at the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leadership's meet-the-people session last night.
Lim had resigned from MCA on April 4.
Lim stunned the Penang political scene in late 1999 when he and Lim Chien Aun, son of former Chief Minister and Gerakan founding-member Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, crossed over from Gerakan to MCA just days after the Barisan Nasional (BN) won the general election.
It led to Gerakan having fewer seats than MCA in the state assembly, resulting in a heated wrangling between the two parties as Gerakan members got concerned about MCA's bid to take over the chief minister’s post.
Lim, also the son of another Gerakan founding-member, the late Datuk Lim Ee Heong, was also part of the team that lent its weight behind tycoon Datuk Joseph Chong's "famous" bid to topple then Gerakan president Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Lim Keng Yaik in the 1996 party elections.
Chong, who lost the election, later revealed that it was then deputy prime minister Anwar who encouraged him to challenge Keng Yaik.
In a statement issued yesterday, Lim said: "We felt that a two-party system has emerged after March 8t 12the General Election, and it is healthy for Malaysia not to be dominated by any single party as before if our aim is to achieve a true parliamentary democracy and free society."
He stressed that PKR was "truly multi-racial" in its set-up and steadfastly and consistently against racism, chauvinism and religious extremism.
"Secondly, it practises politics of moderation, accountability and transparency and has declared war on corruption, cronyism and nepotism."
"Thirdly, its stance for social justice made it more relevant to the middle and lower strata of our society which cut across race while it is pro-business and progress."
He also expressed admiration for the party's fight for democracy, justice and freedom, such as through the exposure of the Lingam video clip, as a factor that has contributed to healthier growth of the judiciary system.
"Fifthly, it is very important to strengthen PKR and hence PR to assist them in their administration of the five states under their charge," he added.
He stressed that PR should be strengthened to always be a viable and credible alternative government to the BN.
The Sun
17/06/08
1 comment:
Dear Mr.Boo Chang,
I must commend you for your strong character.
There is a difference between UMNO and Barisan Nasional. I want to make it clear that it is not the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, but the UMNO government. It is not the government, but UMNO. Barisan Nasional is a coalition of unequals, not equals. UMNO is the big brother in BN. Therefore UMNO must be held responsible; and more importantly, UMNO must not be allowed to hide behind the BN banner. UMNO is the enemy, not BN.
I have come to the conclusion that the easy solution is to completely defeat UMNO in the next elections.
In the 2004 elections (11th General Election), the voters gave good support to Mr.Abdullah Badawi. But reforms did not come. Why? Probably because UMNO had done well in the elections. If UMNO had done well in the elections, then the election results tell UMNO that the voters are satisfied with the status quo. If the voters are satisfied with UMNO, then no reforms are necessary. In the 2008 elections (12th General Elections), UMNO did not do well, but she managed to win. UMNO did lose the 2/3 majority in the Parliament, but she did win, nevertheless. Will UMNO undertake reforms now? I would not be surprised if she did not. Why should she? UMNO is still the winner in the elections; and she can plan to rise and may even succeed to rise again. So, as long as she wins, she will never undertake the reforms. So, how do the voters get the reforms that they need? The voters will get the reforms when UMNO is completely defeated in the 13th General Elections. If UMNO wins zero seats in the next elections (13th General Elections), then some other party would have to rule Malaysia. Let us call it Party B. If UMNO is completely defeated in the next elections (13th General Elections), then Party B would rule Malaysia. Would Party B undertake reforms? If Party B does not undertake reforms, then voters would know what to do.
So, the next step for Malaysians is to completely defeat UMNO in the next elections.
Post a Comment