A. INTRODUCTION
A1. On behalf of the party, I would like to welcome and thank the Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for once again gracing our 36th National Delegates Conference (NDC) and sharing with us his words of wisdom. We also appreciate the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, this morning. We also welcome component party leaders, guests of honour, observers and members of the media to this gathering. We wish the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and other Muslim leaders and members present, Selamat Berpuasa.
A2. I am indeed greatly honoured to address the conference for the first time as the Acting President of the party. Over the years, we have grown accustomed to the thought-provoking, motivating and humourous speeches given by YB Dato’ Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, our former President and now our National Advisor. His is a difficult act to follow indeed, but I can assure you the continuity in spirit and substance, if not in style. Once again, on behalf of the party, I convey our heartfelt gratitude to him for his 26 years of exemplary leadership that has built the party to what it is today. We also salute our founder YABhg Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and his colleagues for having laid the foundation earlier for all of us to build on.
B. CELEBRATING MERDEKA AND MEETING FUTURE CHALLENGES
B1. Just as in previous years, we would like to pledge our firm support for the leadership of YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the Prime Minister and the Chairman of Barisan Nasional. We welcome and appreciate YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s pledge to be the Prime Minister of all Malaysians and to be fair to all Malaysians at all times, as well as his frequent calls for national unity and genuine inter-racial partnerships in economic, social, cultural and political fields. All Malaysians should also respond to his frequent exhortation for Malaysia as a nation, and for Malaysians as individuals, to strive to achieve excellence, glory and distinction.
B2. This year’s gathering is particularly significant as all of us are still celebrating the 50th anniversary of our nation’s independence. The nation is fortunate to have founding fathers with the political wisdom and moral strength to forge a strong basic understanding amongst all the communities in this country and to put in place a legal and administrative framework to enable the country and her people to develop in an environment of peace and stability. Gerakan members once again join all other Malaysians in saluting our founding fathers and generations of leaders and ordinary people who have served and sacrificed for this nation. Like others, we also look back at the past with pride and gratitude, and into the future with hope and determination.
B3. Indeed, while we may have achieved a lot over the past 50 years, a lot still needs to be done. The next few years will be crucial, so full of challenges to be handled and potentials to be explored. Since launching the National Mission last year, the Prime Minister has repeatedly reminded the people of Malaysia that we are into the last lap in our long relay to achieve our National Vision to become an advanced nation in all aspects by Year 2020. In fact, the Prime Minister has urged us to look beyond 2020, at the next 50 years and also to go beyond the goals of Vision 2020. This is definitely a most challenging task to be shouldered together by the present and future generations of Malaysians.
B4. In the meantime, we have to face increasing competition as a result of globalisation and the emergence of many vibrant economies, particularly in Asia. Rising prices of fuel and intermediary goods will continue to drive up the cost of production and services. This will add more burden not only to businessmen, but also the common people. In this context, we need to re-double our effort to address the challenge of eradicating poverty, irrespective of race. Particular attention must be paid to the poor in the Indian community, the Orang Asli and rural communities in Sabah and Sarawak. We should also reduce relative poverty, the widening gaps between the haves and have nots, including the emerging “Digital Divide.”
C. DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
C1. In response to all these challenges, the government has launched the concept of development corridors in the South and the North, to be followed by the Eastern Corridor as well as Sabah and Sarawak. Gerakan fully supports this development corridor concept aimed at generating more robust economic growth and distributing economic opportunities more fairly and evenly. We also support the many infrastructure projects being planned and approved under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), including air, sea, road and rail transportation. Gerakan is particularly enthusiastic and supportive of the federal government’s recent commitment to introduce and improve public transport, especially in major urban areas. This is indeed what we have been calling for over the past years, especially for Penang.
C2. Nonetheless, we fully agree with the Prime Minister that the real test will be in implementation. Hence, the emphasis on upgrading the delivery system. The setting up of Pemudah as a public-private sector collaborative mechanism to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucracy is a big step in the right direction. The aim is to facilitate and not to frustrate the people and development projects. Gerakan leaders participating at different levels of the Government will try our very best to contribute to making Pemudah a success to ensure the future success of our nation’s economy. However, we will also continue to work hard, together with other Barisan Nasional component parties to ensure sustainable and balanced development, to protect the environment and to ensure better quality of life for future generations.
C3. In the process of nation building, education and human capital development constitute the most important deciding factor. We appreciate the tremendous emphasis that the Prime Minister has on this aspect. He is rightly named as the “Father of Human Development” (Bapa Pembangunan Insan). Gerakan welcomes the recent implementation of the Education Development Blueprint to improve basic education from kindergarten to upper secondary level. We support the emphasis on quality, especially the concept of cluster schools. Gerakan also supports the Higher Education Blueprint with emphasis on academic excellence and research, allowing greater autonomy and creating apex universities. We welcome the recent appointment of non-Malay academics to the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor in four (4) local public universities. Recognition by merits in scholarly achievements and administrative capability will encourage all Malaysian academics to contribute their very best to teaching and research. We should also try our best to attract as many of the best and brightest Malaysian brains currently overseas to return to work in Malaysia. These measures will further propel our universities to be amongst the best in the world, benefiting all of our younger generations.
C4. On our own part, Gerakan has also played our role in the promotion of higher educaiton. We greatly appreciate the consent and support of the Prime Minister for our initiative to set up the Wawasan Open University (WOU). It is the brain child and labour of love of our National Advisor, YB Dato’ Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik who is also the Chairman of the WOU Council. The Chancellor is YABhg Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. WOU is meant to be a people’s university open to those who did not have the opportunity to pursue further studies beyond secondary education, totalling over 5.0 million people. With the first intake of students in January this year, WOU will admit the second intake soon. The WOU has set up study centres in four (4) major cities, with more to come in the near future so that it can provide affordable quality higher education to as many Malaysians as possible. Moreover, a Chancellor Scholarship Fund was recently launched for the benefit of deserving and needy students. In this respect, I would like to appeal to the Prime Minister to arrange for a government contribution to the Wawasan Education Foundation for the WOU.
D. INCULCATING INTEGRITY AND PROMOTING UNITY
D1. In this context of nation-building, the emphasis on integrity, efficiency and productivity in both the public and private sectors is of paramount importance. The recent revelations by the Auditor-General’s Report of impropriety and malpractices reflected more openness about government, but were very disturbing. Hence, in fully supporting the objectives of the National Integrity Plan (PIN) launched by the Prime Minister three (3) years ago, we urge the government to take more concrete and concerted follow-up actions to conduct full, independent investigations so as to take action against all those involved. Similarly, stern action must also be taken against political leaders, especially those with executive powers, who are found to have been involved in wrong doings. More importantly, steps taken to review and revamp the delivery system and procedure must be expedited so as to ensure greater accountability and transparency. This is necessary in order to counter negative public perception and to restore public confidence in the executive branch of the government.
D2. The general public expects the same commitment on integrity within the other important branch of the government, namely, the Judiciary, if not more so because they are perceived to be the very custodian and dispenser of justice. Moreover, a sound legal system with independence of the judiciary is one of the most important factors in attracting and sustaining investor confidence, both foreign and domestic. Therefore, Gerakan supports the setting up of the Independent Committee of Enquiry as an important first step to scrutinise and ascertain the authenticity of evidences in the case of the video clip controversy. We note with concern that public perception about the judiciary has been adversely affected by this and other revelations and allegations. If need to, a Royal Commission should be seriously considered.
D3. At the same time, members of yet another branch of government, the legislative, namely the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies should also exhibit a high level of integrity, credibility and courtesy, as people’s representatives deserving the title “the Honourable.” Gerakan therefore supports the call by the Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak for a Code of Ethics for elected representatives and indeed for all political leaders. In debate or response to issues, leaders should avoid emotional outbursts with race-biased or gender-biased utterances that hurt feelings and provoke negative reactions. Instead, all Malaysian leaders should always play the positive and constructive role of breaking down walls of misunderstanding, prejudice and hatred, and building bridges of understanding, tolerance, goodwill, mutual respect and love within our plural society.
D4. In fact, in the process of nation building in the past 50 years, we have gone through many trials and tribulations. Admittedly, in a plural society such as ours, there have been differences in opinion over issues in the economy and education, on race and religion. These differences have sometimes led to heated debates, flared tempers, heightened tensions and even riots, threatening the harmony and stability of our society. Yet, time and again, we fortunately managed to pull through. Good sense and rationality have prevailed. Solutions found and compromises made, though not perfect. At the same time, we must realise that, besides our good sense and goodwill, guiding us through in the past 50 years were the spirit, the principles, the framework and the programs contained in four (4) important national documents – the Federal Constitution, Rukunegara, Vision 2020 and the National Mission.
D5. Gerakan believes that these four (4) documents have served well and should continue to provide the foundation for our nationhood and the guidance for nation-building and problem-solving in our plural society. Therefore, we have taken the initiative to publish a booklet to highlight the essentials of these four (4) documents. We also include the objectives of Parti Gerakan as enshrined in our party constitution. It is our sincere hope that this booklet printed in four (4) languages, will promote a better understanding of the spirit and principles of our nationhood, and of our rights and responsibilities as citizens. More importantly, it is meant to serve as a useful quick reference and guide for Malaysians to hold the middle ground of liberal and progressive moderation, to participate positively in the deliberation and decision on major issues, to formulate workable and acceptable solutions, and to counter all forms of extremism and racism. Our aim is to accelerate the realisation of Bangsa Malaysia! We humbly request the Prime Minister to launch this book for us afterwards.
E. EMPOWERING BARISAN NASIONAL AND PROMOTING INTER-RACIAL CO-OPERATION
E1. In fact, the Barisan Nasional (BN) formula of sharing responsibility and power has been the basic corner stone of unity and political stability for our country. This formula managed to hold our Malaysian people of diverse racial, religious, cultural and linguistic backgrounds together. We have warded off attacks and attempts to undermine this working formula and to divide us. We have held on firmly to the middle ground of liberal and progressive moderation. The BN formula has been a model emulated by others, even the opposition. Nonetheless, Barisan Nasional has always been compared to a family. While held by bonds of affection and devotion, members of a family still have differences in opinion, perception and feeling. This is especially so now and in the future as we are under increasing stress and strain from rapid socio-economic changes.
E2. Therefore, it is important that we should re-double our efforts to promote the spirit and process of consultation within the Barisan Nasional at all levels. No doubt, Barisan Nasional component party leaders meet very often in the Federal Cabinet, State Executive Councils, the Municipal and District Councils. However, we are very often extremely busy and occupied with the implementation of programmes and projects, in solving urgent problems of the people and of the development process. There has not been enough time for in-depth discussion of some important issues, especially relating to religion, culture and ethnic relations. Gerakan would like to suggest that Barisan Nasional form committees at both the national and state and even district levels to discuss and achieve even better understanding and better co-ordination on various areas of concern. Such committees can involve party leaders and elected representatives not holding government posts. Such a consultation model can later be expanded to include leaders from the private sector and NGOs. The results of such consultation can be channelled to the government and to the BN Supreme Council and State Committees.
E3. In fact, the task of integration and unity should not be confined and left to government agencies, political parties and politicians alone. It should be the responsibility of all organisations, private companies, corporate bodies, youth, women, socio-civic, cultural, sports and other associations. We should think of more effective ways and means to encourage people to live, to work and to play together, as well as to address common issues of concern. For example, at the work place, in some factories, multi-racial work groups or Quality Control Circles (QCC) have worked well together to improve quality and productivity and to reduce cost, waste and risks. Some QCCs have won international prizes and made Malaysia proud. In the past two (2) years, Gerakan has proposed that special incentives be provided to encourage genuine multi-racial partnership in business.
E4. In the neighbourhood, we must encourage Residents Associations, Management Corporations for high-rise residential buildings, Rukun Tetangga (RT) and, Village Security and Development Committees (JKKK) to work even more closely on issues relating to quality of life and environment, on sports and recreation programmes, especially for the younger generations. In fact, security and safety, especially for women and children have become a major common issue of concern. It requires a multi-prong approach and participation by all at the grass root level . While welcoming the government’s decision to enlarge the police force and to upgrade equipment, we urge the government to further enlarge the Police Voluntary Reserve Force, RELA and Civil Defence Corps. This will make available more uniformed personnel without too much expenditure incurred since they are volunteers. More allocations should also be given to train and equip members of RT and JKKK to patrol their own neighbourhood. Both the public and private sector employees should be entitled to a day’s leave for rest after a full night of patrol duty.
F. PARTI GERAKAN IN THE NATION’S SERVICE
F1. Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the founding of Gerakan. The party under the leadership of YB Dato’ Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik has, during the 80s and 90s, expanded to become a nationwide party, with a presence in all states, except Sarawak. During the same period, the party saw very rapid “hardware” development. The twin towers housing the Central Headquarters right here in Kuala Lumpur are the pride of Gerakan members. The party now has its own State Headquarter buildings in eleven (11) states, while quite a number of divisions also have their own premises. These space and facilities will enable us to provide better services to the people and to organise more cultural, educational and social activities for our members and the general public.
F2. Since the last three (3) years, we have been emphasising on further developing our human-ware and “thought-ware,” ie, our ideological content. We aim to more effectively apply our basic principles and non-racial approach to analyse and address major issues, to articulate our political stand and to formulate and implement workable and acceptable solutions for the benefit of the Malaysian people. The White Coffee Talks held in the Central Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, the Teh Tarik Forums in Penang and “Cakap-Cakap Keropok” Sessions in Kuala Terengganu, have so far invited many political thinkers, social activists, corporate and community leaders to share their ideas and initiatives, expertise and experience with us. We shall now reach out to engage even more NGOs and members of the civil society to exchange views, to forge consensus and collaboration. These efforts will eventually be culminated and consolidated into a programme called the National Dialogue Initiative or NADI to be headed by our National Advisor, YB Dato’ Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, when he retires from government after the next General Elections.
F3. We shall also embark on a major membership drive. Many new branches have been formed over the past four (4) years, especially after the amendment of the party constitution to allow for a maximum of 18 branches per division. Definitely, we have room to attract more young Malaysians, the “Anak Malaysia,” to join us. The motivation to expand membership should not be for the purpose of intra-party contest, but should aim at effectively serving the people, organising more meaningful activities and most importantly, propagating our non-racial Malaysian approach. In this respect, realising that our membership is still predominantly of Chinese origin, we shall make a special effort to recruit members from the other communities.
F4. Gerakan is particularly conscious of the leading role that we have been playing in the Penang State Government. We are privileged to have been given the mandate by the people of Penang to work with them and to work for them for the past 38 years. Under the able leadership of YABhg Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, Penang successfully initiated the nation’s drive towards industrialisation and transformed the economy. Supported by the Prime Minister and the Federal Government, my colleagues in Gerakan and Barisan Nasional in Penang, I have been fortunate to be able to build on that foundation and push Penang towards a higher level of economic development. However, we are fully committed to do even more in order to meet greater challenges and competition, and to fulfill the rising expectations of the people for an even better livelihood and quality of life in the future.
F5. Not only in Penang, but also elsewhere in the country wherever there are Gerakan members, we pledge to continue to play a positive and constructive role in contributing to the successful implementation of the National Mission to achieve the National Vision. We are committed to work towards achieving the objectives of Rukunegara to make Malaysia a truly united, democratic, just, liberal and progressive society. We will work closely with the people, with component parties of Barisan Nasional, with NGOs and with all others who share the same ideal and commitment. Fully realising that this is a most challenging task and indeed a never-ending struggle, we amongst ourselves, as Gerakan members, should remain united, true to our spirit of Satu Hati. It is only with our Satu Hati spirit that we can promote and propagate the Satu Hati spirit amongst all Malaysians to be Bangsa Malaysia!
F6. Now, I have the great pleasure to invite the Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional Chairman, YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, to give his speech to officially declare open our 36th National Delegates Conference.
