60th Anniversary Merdeka Message By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 30 August 2017.
Malaysians Should Be Both Political Lifechangers And Economic Gamechangers To Reclaim Our Merdeka Promise As A Nation With A Heart That Loves Each Other, Values Principles And Upholds Our Fundamental Rights In The Federal Constitution.
As we celebrate our 60th Merdeka anniversary, whilst we remember the victorious struggle over the British colonialists, the struggle continues more urgently to establish, in the words Bapa Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman, “a new nation inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty”.
Therefore as we look forward to the next 60 years, Malaysians should be both political lifechangers and economic gamechangers to reclaim our Merdeka promise as a nation with a heart that loves each other, values principles and upholds our fundamental rights in the Federal Constitution.
The struggle of our politics are still divided by race and religion. Malaysians whether separated by geography or demography, whether old or young, male or female should consider what it is he or she wishes for the country today. Malaysians should take heart in the fact that despite the country’s many travails, we can empower themselves individually.
That is their right, and that is their duty. After all, political power rests with the Rakyat. We must reclaim the promise of Merdeka as established in the Federal Constitution – the right to enjoy democracy, freedom, justice, rule of law, the right to live with dignity and prosperity.
A government should be people-centric, focused on enabling, empowering and enriching the people. We will enable our citizens with adequate skills and knowledge that they need. We will empower our people with rights, opportunities and freedom. We will enrich lives by securing equitable development for all.
We do not want Malaysia to be known as a global kleptocracy. Neither do we want a Malaysia that is autocratic or one that fails to live up fully to its potential. Let us thus reclaim the promise of Malaysia as a great nation known world-wide as a nation with a heart.
A human heart for values of right over wrong, not values centred on money or corruption; a heart for basic principles over selfish political leaders who refuse to share power; a heart for hard work over those cronies whose connections enrich them; a heart for excellence over mediocrity; a heart that celebrates diversity over extremism; a heart that cherishes institutions protecting basic human rights and not grant dictators the right to abuse power; a heart that unites us all through our love for each other and our country.
Let Malaysia celebrate our 60th anniversary as a nation by daring to change ourselves into a nation with a heart, that loves our children regardless of race, religion or background.
LIM GUAN ENG