民主行动党秘书长林冠英于2010年1月17日，在行动党全国代表会议上发表演讲：
民主行动党与中道马来西亚立约
当我在2004年开始担任行动党秘书长时，我和我的同事决定领导一个要执政的政党，而不是永远的反对党。一个没有抱负、通过执政来推行利民政策的政党，没有存在的权利。
当民主行动党第一个在2005年提出在10年内成为执政伙伴的宏愿时，很少人认同我们。但是，我们寄望渴望求变的普通马来西亚人。行动党能够自1966年起屹立不倒，因为我们相信无论是回教徒或非回教徒都希望能受到公平对待、安居乐业、共享繁荣、让他们的孩子成长在一个更美好的世界。
民主行动党领袖已经经历了司法及政治迫害，却紧系我们对“一个马来西亚国族”的信念及对人民的信心。很多人觉得我们的斗争是徒劳的，因为他们对拥有共同理想及追求更美好的国家的人失去信心。但是，行动党坚定、强韧的领袖和党员从来没有绝望。
2008年的政治大海啸改变了很多东西。没有人料想这场改变来得那么快。人民把希望交付给我们，我们必须报答他们对我们的信任。虽然我们没有执政经验，我们学习如何执政，我们相信民联政府在过去两年比国阵过去20年做得还好。
比如，在霹雳，民联政府不分种族分配土地给人民。在槟城，民联政府一年内扫除赤贫，做了国阵50年都做不到的事。在雪州，民联政府让人民享受免费自来水。 州的钱都交还给人民，而华校、淡米尔学校、教会学校、宗教学校也第一次获得常年拨款。民联政府的清廉，甚至获得2008年总稽查报告的赞扬，槟城在财务方面管理得当、取得盈余，甚至被国际透明表扬。我们甚至为了我们的下一代，成为发起减塑运动的第一个州属，对抗气候变化。我们无畏无惧，只有善意及怜悯。
的确，民联州属的人民看到、摸到及感觉到我们比起国阵治理时变得更好。而民联领袖不只是证明我们可以比国阵做得更好，也给每个人机会，让大家做得比我们好。我们还在学习，只要我们坚持原则及吸取教训，我们将会做得更好。
我们在追求改革方面，坚持捍卫廉政领导及民主治理，以自由、公义、真理、福利及信奉上苍为原则。这些原则必须成为我们的指引方向以及进步成功的里程碑。我们可以在手段上妥协，但不是宗旨及目的。但是，如果只是高谈原则而没有化作行动和成果，这是不足够的。
我们得到的教训是必须继续聆听、树立领导典范 、谦虚、不怕认错、急需让公务员变得有效率及公信力的改革、大马人优先。我们不要任何极端的断言及立场来令马来西亚人感到害怕。我们要占据中间选民：多元团结、温和明智、立场始终如一及与普通老百姓有关联的。我们要达致一个中道的马来西亚。
中道马来西亚采取合作态度而非冲突、咨询而非对立、包含性社会而非排外的分裂性社会。共享型社会拥护多元并保障每个人在下列领域的社会地位：
民主参与,
尊重多元及人类尊严,
提供公平的机会；
免于歧视。
这样一个中道的马来西亚属于每个大马人。不像“巫统马来西亚”，“中道马来西亚” 注重的是内涵而不是肤色。不像“国阵马来西亚”，“中道马来西亚”把彼此当成兄弟姐妹、父母及子女般一家人。不像“朋党马来西亚”，“中道马来西亚”尊重每个人，并坚信我国的财富、机会及资源属于全体国人。
当槟城在2008年挂上双语路牌，以国语为主，其它语言如阿拉伯文、华文、淡米尔文及英文为辅，国阵的极端人士反对。但是它最终被接受，反映了我们这个多元种族、多元文化及国际形象。马来人对双语路牌没有问题，正如一个100%华人区也能接受阿拉伯文路牌那样。这就是中道马来西亚，我们互相保护因为我们属于彼此。
民主行动党重申我们捍卫宗教自由，我们尊重回教是联邦的官方宗教。这就是为何槟州的民联政府在2010年财政预算案中，比2008年的1250万令吉的回教拨款增加了两倍达2430万令吉。（2009年拨款为2050万令吉）
民主行动党严厉谴责及痛斥针对所有宗教场所的攻击事件，不只是基督教堂，也包括回教堂及神庙。一个宗教，不能为了自私的宗教考量，而陷入无法自制的局面。我们谴责那些不负责任的人士，将政治与宗教混为一谈，企图通过这种手段夺为马来人及回教徒的支持。
最近国阵建议通过限制“阿拉”一词在东马使用来解决危机，简直让“一个马来西亚”变成了一个笑柄，也反映出不负责任的政治算计。当局者必须对于自己没有能力解决有关事端，并让它爆发成为真正的危机负起全责，这已经让我国在国际社会蒙羞。
我们不是一个战争国。我们看到的是巫统在与开放、合理及尊重的价值观宣战。当国阵高谈国际标准，问题却产生了，例如：为何全球回教世界从中东到印尼都允许基督徒使用“阿拉”，马来西亚却不能。行动党不否认这项课题的敏感性，但是要解决这项纠纷，绝不能通过对抗而是咨询，也不能用武力而是通过对话。
因此，我们为民联盟友能够站稳立场感到骄傲，特别是回教党及拿督斯里安华，他说全马的基督徒都可以使用阿拉，这是一个中东阿伯拉罕教义追随者共用的普世名称，条件是它不能用来令回教徒感到混淆。这就是民联的中道马来西亚， 宽容、相互尊重，而不是国阵极端份子那种让人害怕的狭隘及恐惧。
国阵在霹雳的非法夺权及赵明福之死
我们在2008年8月23日召开第15届全国党员代表大会，直至举行这一次会议的期间发生了许多事件，当中挟杂了血泪与汗水，也希望在这黑暗的尽头能够赋予我们能量，有关大事件包括：
其一、 赵明福同志丧命，是行动党历史上让人感到最悲痛的一刻，我们将继续不惜一切为他讨回公道，我们永远不会忘记明福。我们已经为他的孩子成立了一个基金，并确保他的孩子可以接受完整的教育。因此，我们会继续说真话、道公义，即使是面对不正当的迫害及逮捕也不害怕。
其二、霹雳州发生卑劣、反民主和非法夺权的事件，虽然让我们伤痛，但却加强我们捍卫民主和正义的决心。行动党重申我们的立场，解散州议会、还政予民，让人民重选州务大臣及行政议员。除非那样，否则合法的州务大臣及行政议员、勇敢的议长，永远是2008年全国大选中霹雳人民选出来的。
其三、许多党同志，包括全国主席、秘书长、全国组织秘书、全国宣传秘书、国州议员，还有来自中央、州级和支部的领袖和党员，都先后被逮捕、调查、提控及面对被迫害的风险，我们矢言毫不动摇地支持他们；
成就
过去，民主行动党都在许多困扰着大马的重大事件中，扮演先锋角色，促使政府当局采取行动。我们的国会领袖林吉祥同志自2007年就穷追不舍地向政府施压，以还原高达125亿令吉的巴生港口自由贸易区丑闻的真相，最终导致普华永道的稽查报告、公账会的调查及多方面因为滥权和虚构帐目文件而被控上庭，这些都印证了林吉祥同志的努力。政府已经宣称，将会有更多的人因为此丑闻而即将被控上庭。
民主行动党也进行多番的反内安法令运动并成功施压政府释放马诺哈兰同志、加纳巴提劳同志、其他兴权会里领袖及内安法令扣留者。在此我们赞扬他们的勇气。
在提供有建设性的计划方面，行动党也站在最前线。2009年年头，随着政府对大道合约解密，行动党就提呈了一份具有深度、可行及拥有成本效益的计划书以购回赚取人民无限盈利的大道公司。行动党也在2010年提呈替代经济预算案以使大马经济获得转型及回复元气，让我们的经济获得重生并发挥我们的潜力。
我们相信重视知识经济及高科技工业是我国在2020年转型为国民年均收入为1万5000美元（目前为7000美元）的高收入经济体的基础。两个确保经济效益的领域包括公开招标及一个讲究绩效的教育系统，鼓励卓越、重视科学及技术，以及能够培训人才、留住人才及吸引人才。我们必须阻止人才继续外流到邻国。例如，新加坡过去两年的顶尖学生都是马来西亚人。若没有最好的人才，我们注定失败。唯有人才回国，我们才有机会成功。
难怪马来西亚一直停滞在低技能、低生产率和低工资混合毐素的处境中。根据世界银行报告，我国只有25%的劳动力是从事熟练工作。马来西亚有60%的家庭，每月收入少过3,000令吉。熟练的马来西亚人民都选择用脚投票，反观却供养着为数庞大的不熟练外籍劳工。
国家预算在过去10年来暴涨高达3倍，其中营运开销在过去5年里高涨将近一倍，而联邦公务员人数则膨胀了三分之一，即从之前的少过90万人增加到目前同时期的约130万人。
不幸地，公共开销暴增却伴随着公共产品及服务供应显著减少，导致国内治安败坏、教育及卫生素质明显下降，以及令人震惊的公共工程粗制滥造，在在对马来西亚人民及整个国家的未来构成了严重的威胁。
贪污、朋党、官商勾结和明目张胆地盗窃，就像最近失窃的2架战斗机引擎及其他种种案例，是非常猖獗和无可救药的。国家的财富，特别是石油，被挥霍无度地耗尽；私营化政策早已严重偏差，如今依然持续像梦魇般困扰着国人。
马来西亚原本应该作为一个多元种族、多元文化、多元宗教，共存容忍、相互尊重和彼此了解的国际典范，却开倒车回到盲从、偏执、种族歧视和宗教不容忍的旧时代。
现今政府唯一做的是通过国家关键成效领域（NKRA）和关键绩效指标（KPI）等一系列粉饰性政策来掩盖，却完全没有任何政治意愿，以克服艰难的结构性改革，将全球化转型纳入考量，以及打造一个廉洁政府为广大的马来西亚人民许下一个更自由、更民主、更公平的社会。
人民契约 改造大马
马来西亚如今正等待一个完全彻底的改变，但是却缺乏有效的领导人。我们将与民联盟友肩负起这历史性的使命和责任，共同为这一代人，以及尚未投票和即将诞生在这片土地上的下一代努力，领导马来西亚走向真正的改变与改革。让我重申我们的承诺，我们将与民联紧密合作，提供人民一个取代国阵政府的选择，并依据民联的共同纲领——“人民契约”赢取来届大选，筹组全新的中央政府。
我们必须立刻在我们执政的州属带来实质的改革。我们在执政州属的表现，将决定我们能否执政中央，所以我们必须超越粉饰性的外在改变。
我们不能任由我们的传统对手因为内耗而自毁来成为选民支持我们的主要原因。我们必须具备令人信服的能力与吸引力，让选民对我们有最大的信心。
在欢庆2008年大选所取得的优良成绩后，行动党与公正党以及回教党展开了新的联盟关系。今天，我们已经成功与盟友们缔造了一个紧密的合作契约。我们的决心证明了之前质疑我们合作诚意的人是错误的，新联盟更是能经得住任何内部的差异，甚至抵挡得住国阵的围剿。我们的合作关系更是随着在民联代表大会上成功推出共同纲领而达到前所未有的密切。
我们必须紧记，马来西亚政治版图只有一块中间战场，而这些中间选民将在选举中扮演最关键的角色，我们不能犯错，谁能实践“中间之道”的马来西亚，谁就能够在下届大选组织中央政府。
为了赢得中间之道这场战，民联必须比充满种族主义、排他主义及极端主义的对手来得更中庸、更具包容性。
民主行动党强调，真正的国民团结只有在大马人优先的精神所提倡的民主、自由、公正、廉洁、尊严和机会平等的普世价值下才能落实，以终结分化种族、宗教、信仰、性别为基础的政治，并团结所有马来西亚人，共同一致地面对迅速改变的世界。我们敦促所有民联政党坚定踏实地推动“人民契约”，以带领马来西亚进行第二次的国家建设。
我们也对遭边缘化的沙巴和砂拉越人民深表关注，他们在许多方面都远远落后于西马，我们誓言必将竭尽所能拉近两地之间的差距，为所有国民带来福祉。
决战18个月
来届全国大选预料将会在18个月内举行，而有迹象显示砂拉越和霹雳州选举也可能在这期间举行。这是一场豪赌，因为这些选举成绩将决定我们最深爱的国土未来10年的命运，并深深影响着我们的下一代。
因此，我们必须做好充分准备，不能浪费真正改变马来西亚的最后一次机会，不要在未来让我们自己感到自责，或让我们的孩子责怪我们当初不曾尽力。我在此指示行动党各级领袖和党员，倾全力准备迎战来届大选，以及随时可能举行的砂拉越和霹雳州选举。
自从上一次的全国代表大会后，民主行动党有着飞跃式的成长，我们的新党员增加了50%，而注册的支部更达致创纪录的700个。事实上，行动党能够招揽到更多民主社会主义的信仰者以及那些能够帮助我们达致有能力、问责及透明化（CAT）的政府施政理念的人。
为了加强党竞选机关，我在此也指示各级领袖和党员，强化党在国会选区的组织，以便能以更强大的动员迎战决定马来西亚未来的战役。民主行动党领袖、民选议员及民联执政州属中的受委官员也必须时时刻刻认知党的理念、平台、愿景和使命，以便在赋予委托下为国家带来实质性的改变；同时，必须紧记要达到选民的高度期望。
请紧记，行动党永远不能单打独斗来获得胜利。我们在森美兰州赢得将近全部议席，但却还不能执政。身为一个共享权力的盟党，我们必须以联盟的形式来赢得选举。
我们期望民联的盟友能更加了解我们的政纲及设立和扩展一个共同的平台。更重要的是，我们必须时时刻刻提醒自己，实践中道大马是最重要和关键的。
我们拥有一群无论是在风吹雨打下都会支持我们的追随者，现在我们要求你们加入改朝换代的非一般旅程，而这需要更多的奉献牺牲、谅解包容及不屈不挠的精神。
我们知道我们执政的州政府表现将成为人们判断我们是否能实践我们承诺的标杆。我们将全力人们的要求，以让我们的同志能够在其他州属赢得执政权。然而，我们的最终目标依然是布特拉再也。
我们要实践的目标是绝对具有历史意义的--建立第一个民本的政府，一个信任人民的政府，实践真正的马来西亚人精神即巫裔领袖照顾华裔、印裔领袖照顾巫裔、华裔领袖照顾伊班裔、伊班裔领袖照顾卡达山裔、卡达山裔照顾印裔。这样人民才可以对民联政府拥有信心，相信民联不只把他们的权益放在心上，更为了已经诞生和还未诞生的下一代而努力。
林冠英
DAP’s Covenant With Middle Malaysia
When I first took over as DAP Secretary-General in 2004, my colleagues and I were determined to lead a party that aspires not to be in perennial opposition but to be in government. A political party that has no aspirations for political power to implement programs beneficial to the people has no right to exist.
When DAP first put forth this vision in 2005 on being a full partner in power within 10 years, few shared our hopes. But we had pinned our hopes on ordinary Malaysians yearning for change. DAP had persevered since 1966 due to our faith in Malaysians whether Muslims or non-Muslims wanting a fair deal, live in peace and harmony, prosper together and their children to grow up in a better world than they lived in.
DAP leaders had labored through those painful years of legal prosecution and political persecution bound by our ideals in a Malaysian nation for all and our faith in the people. Many felt our struggle futile because they lost faith in the people sharing these ideals and wanting a better Malaysia. But the real and tough leaders and members in the DAP never lost hope.
The political tsunami that was the 2008 general elections changed everything. No one expected change to happen so fast. The people have put their faith in us and we must repay their trust in us. Inexperienced though we were, we learned how to govern and we believe that Pakatan Rakyat has governed better in these two years than BN has in the last 20 years.
For instance in Perak, land is given free to the people regardless of race. In Penang hard-core poverty has been abolished in one year what BN could not do in 51 years. In Selangor water is given free. In all states money is handed back to the people and Chinese, Tamil, missionary and Islamic religious schools receive yearly allocations for the first time in their lives. The Pakatan Rakyat states are run cleanly with praise from the 2008 Auditor-General Report for our budget surpluses and proper financial management with Penang even praised by Transparency International. We even cater for the future generation by leading the fight against climate change through our initiative to reduce plastic bag consumption, the first in Malaysia. There is no hate and fear only goodwill and compassion.
Truly, the people in these Pakatan Rakyat states can see, can touch and can feel that we are better off than under BN. And a Pakatan Rakyat leadership that is not out to prove that we as leaders can perform better than you, but wants to give everyone the opportunity to perform better than us. We are still learning and will get better as long as we hold fast to our principles and the lessons learnt.
We have been steadfast in pursuing reforms through upholding principles of integrity in leadership and democratic governance centered on freedom, justice, truth, people’s welfare and adherence to religious values. These principles must be our guiding posts and milestones of progress and success. We can compromise on the means but never the ends. But mouthing good intentions is not enough if we can not translate these principles into action and results.
The lessons learnt is the necessity of continuously listening to the people, to show leadership by example, being humble and not fearing to admit mistakes made, the urgent need to reform the civil service to be efficient and accountable and to be Malaysian First. We want no part of the extremist fringes with pronouncements and positions that frightens off any decent Malaysian. We must occupy the electoral centre that is diverse and united, moderate and sensible, consistent and relevant to ordinary Malaysians. We must become Middle Malaysia.
Middle Malaysia prefers co-operation not conflict, consultation instead of
confrontation and an inclusive shared society rather than an exclusive separate society. A shared society is one that celebrates diversity and assures everyone a place in society by guaranteeing:-
democratic participation,
respect for diversity and human dignity,
offering equal opportunity; and
protection from discrimination.
Middle Malaysia belongs to every Malaysian. Unlike UMNO Malaysia, in Middle Malaysia the content of our character is more important than the colour of our skin. Unlike BN’s Malaysia, in Middle Malaysia we look at each other as brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers and as sons and daughters of Malaysia. Unlike Crony Malaysia, Middle Malaysia respects and celebrates you with the firm belief that Malaysia’s wealth, opportunities and resources belongs to all Malaysians.
When Penang put up bilingual signboards in Bahasa Malaysia as the prominent language with either Arabic, Mandarin, Tamil and English in 2008, the extremists in BN opposed it. But this was eventually accepted as reflection of our multi-racial, multi-cultural and international image we see ourselves. Malays have no problems with bilingual road signs just as a 100% Chinese area is comfortable with Arabic road signs. This is the Middle Malaysia where we protect each other because we belong to each other.
DAP restates that whilst we uphold freedom of religion, we respect Islam as the religion of the federation. That is why the Pakatan Rakyat government in Penang has almost doubled the 2010 Budget allocation for Islam to RM 24.3 million compared with the RM 12.5 million under the 2008 BN Budget. (2009 PR Budget RM 20.5 million).
DAP reiterates our condemnation and repugnance at the attacks on not just churches in Malaysia but all places of religious worship including mosques or temples. A religious matter must never be allowed to spiral out of control due to selfish political calculations. We condemn irresponsible parties for mixing religion with politics in an attempt to regain lost support amongst Malays and Muslims.
The latest suggestion by BN to resolve the crisis by restricting the word “Allah” to East Malaysia has made a mockery of 1Malaysia and mirrored the irresponsible political calculations. The authorities must bear full responsibility for mismanaging the controversy which has developed into a full blown crisis that has shamed Malaysia internationally.
We are not a nation at war with itself. What we are witnessing is UMNO is at war with the values that stand for openness, logical reasoning and mutual respect. When BN talks of international benchmarks, questions are raised as to why the global Islamic practice from Middle-East to Indonesia allowing Christians’ usage of the word “Allah”, not applicable in Malaysia. DAP does not deny the sensitivity of this issue, but resolution of this dispute is not through confrontation but consultation and not by force but by negotiations.
For this reason, DAP is proud of the principled stand taken by our allies in Pakatan Rakyat, especially PAS and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that that Christians across Malaysia are allowed to use the term 'Allah', a universal term for God in the Middle East for adherents of the Abrahamic faiths, on condition that it is not abused to confuse Muslims. PR is consistent where BN is expedient. This is what PR’s Middle Malaysia is all about, both tolerant and mutual respect as compared to BN’s Extremist Malaysia that frightens everyone with intolerance and fear.
BN’s Illegal Power Grab In Perak And Teoh Beng Hock’s Death.
Since the 15th National Congress on 23rd August 2008 and this Conference two significant events have brought blood, sweat, tears, and, hopefully, strengths at the end of the tunnel.
One, Sdr. Teoh Beng Hock’s death will forever be the most sorrowful moment in DAP’s history; we will seek justice for him, whatever it takes, and we will never forget Beng Hock. We have established a fund for his child and rest assured that his child will have full educational opportunities. Because of his memory, we will continue to speak up for truth and justice fearlessly even at the risk of wrongful persecution and arrest.
Two, the despicable, undemocratic and illegal power grab in Perak saddened us but also strengthened our resolve to fight for democracy and justice. DAP reiterates our stand for the dissolution of the Perak State Assembly to return power of the people to elect their Menteri Besar and EXCOs. Until then, the rightful Menteri Besar and EXCOs as well as the brave Speaker are those chosen by the people of Perak in the 2008 general elections.
In the meantime, comrades, including National Chairman, National Organising
Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, Members of Parliament and State Assemblies and various national, state and branch leaders and members, have been arrested, investigated, charged and persecuted or facing such risks; we declare our unwavering support for them;
ACHIEVEMENTS
Over the past year, DAP has taken the lead in many issues afflicting Malaysia, and has successfully campaigned for actions to be taken. Our Parliamentary Leader Sdr Lim Kit Siang’s persistence and effort ramping up the pressure on the Government to reveal the truth on the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal since 2007 has resulted an audit report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, an extensive Public Accounts Committee investigation and several parties charged in court for abuse of power and falsifying of accounting documents. It has been made known by the Government that more personalities will be charged for crimes relating to the PKFZ scandal. DAP has also launched our anti-ISA campaign which successfully pressured the government into releasing our comrades Sdr M Manoharan and Sdr V Ganabathirao, Hindraf leaders as well as other ISA detainees. We applaud their courage. The party has been at the forefront in providing constructive proposals to resolve long outstanding national issues. In early 2009, DAP submitted a in-depth, cost-effective and viable proposal to buy-back toll concessionaires who have been making excessive profits at the expense of the rakyat after the Government declassified these concession agreements. DAP also launched its own 2010 Alternative Budget which sought to revitalise and transform Malaysia's economic foundation, and revive our economic growth and fulfill our potentials.
We believe that focusing on a knowledge-intensive and high-technology industry is the basis of a successful transformation into a high-income economy by 2020 with a per capita income of USD 15,000 from the present USD 7,000. The two key areas are economic efficiency with open tenders and a merit-needs based education system to encourage excellence, with emphasis on science and technology, so as train, retain and attract new talents. There is a dire need to stop the brain drain to our neighbouring countries. For instance the top student in Singapore for the last two years are Malaysians. Without our best talent, Malaysia is doomed to fail while with our best talent returning home, we have a chance of success.
It is not surprising why Malaysia is stuck in a low skill, low productivity and low wage toxic mix. According to a World Bank report, only 25 percent of our labour force is engaged in skilled work. 60 percent of Malaysian families live with a monthly household income of less than RM 3,000. Skilled Malaysians are voting with their feet while we feed a huge unskilled foreign labour population.
At the same time, the national budget ballooned thrice over the last decade, operational expenditure nearly doubled in the last five years. The federal civil service increased by a third in the same period from less than 900,000 to nearly 1.3 million personnel.
Yet the rise of public spending unfortunately coincided with a visible decline of the provision of public goods and services, among which the rapid deterioration of public safety, the decline in the quality of education and healthcare, and the shocking shoddiness of public works threaten the lives of Malaysians and the future
of the country.
Corruption, cronyism, collusions and outright stealing epitomised by the lost of the two fighter jet engines and many other instances are rampant and beyond rescue. The wealth of our nation, especially in the form of petroleum, has been depleted like no body’s business. Privatisation has gone awry long ago and continues to haunt Malaysians.
Decades of bigotry, racism, and religious intolerance have come home to roost when
Malaysia should have been the international model for multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religion coexistence, tolerance, mutual respect and understanding.
The only response the government-of-the-day could provide is a series of cosmetic initiatives dubbed National Key Result Areas and Key Performance Indexes with no political will at all to ask the hard question of structural reform that takes into consideration the global shift and the yearning of vast Malaysians for a freer, more democratic and equitable society with clean government.
MUAFAKAT TRANSFORMASI MALAYSIA
In short, Malaysia is waiting for a profound change but there is a leadership vacuum. Together with our partners in Pakatan Rakyat, it is our responsibility and obligation to Malaysians of this generation and also those yet to vote and yet to be born to answer the call for leadership for real change and reform. Let us reiterate our commitment to the consolidation of Pakatan Rakyat to provide a viable alternative to Barisan Nasional and form the next Federal Government based on Pakatan Rakyat’s Common Policy Framework “Muafakat Rakyat”.
We must be able to bring substantive reforms to the states that we govern, quickly. Our performance, or the lack of it, in the states will either be held against us or propel us to national power. We must go beyond cosmetic change.
We must not just be the default choice of the voters merely because our traditional opponents are destroying themselves by the day in infighting. We must be the compelling attraction that the voters coalesce around.
After the jubilation of the March 2008 general elections, the Party has gotten down to work with our new coalition partners and today we have successfully forged stronger bonds with our Pakatan Rakyat partners. Our determination to prove the skeptics wrong, and that the new coalition is able to withstand any internal differences plus attacks by Barisan Nasional has culminated in the recently concluded inaugural Pakatan Rakyat Convention where the Common Policy Framework was successfully launched.
It is crucial to note that there is only one middle ground in Malaysian politics, and it is the middle ground that matters. Make no mistake that tMiddle Malaysia will decide which coalition will govern next.
To embrace Middle Malaysia, Pakatan Rakyat must be seen as moderate and inclusive and distance and differentiate ourselves from our exclusive, racist, extremist opponents.
The DAP stresses that true national unity can only be achieved if the nation practices the spirit of MALAYSIAN FIRST which professes common universal values of democracy, freedom, justice, integrity and human dignity and provides for equal opportunity for all, that ends divisions based on race, religion, creed and gender, and that unites all Malaysians to face the rapidly changing world as one people. We urge all Pakatan Rakyat parties to pursue steadfastly a new muafakat amongst Malaysians to herald a second nation-building process
We also express concern that Malaysian citizens in Sabah and Sarawak have been marginalized and left behind in most aspects and vow to bridge the gap between the two sides of the South China Sea and improve the wellbeing of all;
THE NEXT 18 MONTHS
The next general election is likely to happen within the next 18 months and it is also possible that state-wide elections will be called in Sarawak and Perak. The stakes are high. The results of these elections will decide the fate of our beloved nation for the next decade and the next generation.
We must, therefore, be fully prepared so that we do not squander the last opportunity for real change in Malaysia, so that we do not blame ourselves in the future, or our children do not fault us for not trying hard enough. It is hereby directed that leaders and members at all levels of the party must gear up in preparation for the next general election and the possible state-wide elections in Sarawak and Perak.
Since the last National Convention, DAP has continue to grow by leaps and bounds, with the number of members increasing by more than 50% and the number of registered branches hitting a record of 700. The party is committed to recruiting more members who firmly believe in our social democratic principles as well as those who can help us implement our vision of a competent, accountable and transparent government administration. In order to strengthen the party’s machinery, leaders and members at all levels are directed to strengthen the party’s organisation at the parliamentary level so that we have stronger units to face the battles that will shape Malaysia’s future. DAP leaders, elected representatives and appointed officials in the various state authorities that Pakatan Rakyat governs must also constantly be cognizant of the party’s ideology, platforms, visions and missions, as well as programmes in their quest to bring substantive change to the country through the mandate given to them, and to be reminded to meet the high expectations of the voters.
Remember that DAP will never win alone. We nearly won all seats in Negeri Sembilan but still unable to govern. We need to win as a coalition; as a full partner in power together.
It goes without saying that we would expect our coalition partners to understand our platforms and build and expand our common grounds. More importantly, together we must constantly remind ourselves that it is the wishes of the Middle Malaysia that matters.
While we are nothing without our hardcore supporters staying with us, rain or shine, we now appeal to you to join us on this extraordinary journey of changing the federal government that requires further sacrifices, perseverance, and understanding.
We know that state governments that we are in power will be the benchmark for our ability to deliver on our promises. We will strive to fulfil high expectations so that our comrades in other states have an opportunity to win power. But the biggest objective of all is still Putrajaya. For what we are attempting to do is nothing short of historic to establish the first people-oriented government that places its faith in our people, truly Malaysian in spirit where Malay leaders look after Chinese, Indian leaders look after Malays, Chinese leaders look after Ibans and Iban leaders look after Kadazan and Kadazans look after Indians, that the people can learn to trust that this PR government has not only their best interests at heart but also the future generation of born and unborn grandchildren.
LIM GUAN ENG
Apa itu "Malaysia Pertengahan"?- Loke Siew Fook
JAN 24 – Pada 17 Januari yang lepas, semasa menyampaikan ucapan dasarnya dalam Persidangan Kebangsaan DAP, Setiausaha Agung DAP yang juga Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng telah mengemukakan satu ungkapan baru yang dinamakan “Middle Malayia” atau dalam terjemahan Bahasa Malaysia sebagai “Malaysia Pertengahan”. Apa sebenarnya yang dimaksudkan ungkapan ini? Adakah ia merupakan satu ideologi baru atau sama saja seperti slogan sebutan Najib “Satu Malaysia”? Ungkapan seperti ini sememangnya akan menimbulkan pelbagai polemik. Sudah tentu ada yang akan membuat pelbagai takrifan, ada yang akan menyokong dan semestinya ada juga pengkritiknya.
Bagi saya, apabila sesuatu ucapan dalam perhimpunan politik dapat menimbulkan perbahasan di kalangan umum, ia merupakan manifestasi bahawa ramai yang mengambil berat tentang perkembangan parti tersebut dan haluan yang ingin diambilnya untuk mendapat sokongan rakyat.
Salah satu rencana yang mencuri perhatian saya ialah dari kolumnis terkenal Akhbar Sin Chew, Tay Tian Yan (rencananya dalam Bahasa Mandarin yang diterjemahkan dalam Bahasa Inggeris di The Malaysian Insider). Beliau menyamakan “Malaysia Pertengahan” yang dilontarkan oleh Guan Eng dengan“The Third Way” atau “Jalan Ketiga”.
“The Third Way” merupakan satu idea yang diilhamkan oleh pakar sosiologi terkenal di Britain yang bernama Anthony Giddens. Ia merujuk kepada jalan pertengahan di antara sistem kapitalisme dan sosialisme.
Beliau mencadangkan satu sistem pentadbiran yang menyerapkan ciri-ciri ekonomi pasaran dan unsur-unsur kompetitif dalam sistem kapitalisme dengan nilai-nilai keadilan sosial dan kesamarataan yang dititikberatkan dalam sistem sosialisme.
Dengan kata lain, sistem ini membenarkan ekonomi pasaran berkembang tetapi pada masa yang sama, kerajaan memainkan peranan untuk mengawal pasaran dan memastikan keseimbangan dalam masyarakat terjamin.
Idea “The Third Way” ini sebenarnya tercetus daripada ideologi sosial demokrasi yang merupakan salah satu cabang sosialime. Parti yang berpegang kepada prinsip sosial demokrasi sering dikaitkan sebagai golongan “kiri pertengahan” atau “center left”.
Sebenarnya banyak parti pemerintah atau parti utama di negara Barat padahari ini mendukung ideologi sosial demokrasi atau “The Third Way”. Parti Buruh di United Kingdom dan Australia, serta Parti Sosial Demokrat di Sweden dan German merupakan antara contoh parti-parti yang mempunyai pengaruh yang besar.
DAP merupakan parti yang mendukung sosial demokrasi sebagai ideologi dan asas perjuangannya. Di peringkat antarabangsa, terdapat satu gabungan parti-parti sosialis dan sosial demokrat yang dinamakan sebagai “Socialist International” dan DAP merupakan salah satu ahlinya. Justeru, apabila Guan Eng melontarkan ungkapan “Malaysia Pertengahan”, ia sebenarnya tidak lari daripada ideologi asas DAP.
Ia merupakan satu ciri penting dalam perjuangan politik DAP. Ungkapan ini merupakan satu langkah strategik untuk mengambarkan DAP sebagai sebuah parti yang sederhana yang boleh diterima oleh semua lapisan masyarakat, lebih-lebih lagi pengundi pertengahan atau mereka yang berada di atas pagar.
Golongan rakyat ini boleh ditakrifkan sebagai mereka yang tidak mempunyai “ketaatan politik” kepada mana-mana parti samada Barisan Nasional mahupun Pakatan Rakyat. Undi mereka bukan dipengaruhi oleh simbol parti tetapi berdasarkan senario politik semasa, isu yang diperjuangkan oleh sesuatu parti dan melihat kepada dasar parti mana yang dapat membawa negara kearah kemajuan dan kemakmuran. Golongan inilah yang bakal menjadi penentu kepada siapa yang menduduki Putrajaya dalam pilihanraya umum.
Namun, konteks yang ingin dipertengahkan oleh DAP melalui “MalaysiaPertengahan” adalah lebih luas daripada pengertian ciri-ciri pentadbiran ekonomi semata-mata. Kata kunci dalam konteks “Malaysia Pertengahan” ialah kesederhanaan. Dalam menangani sebarang isu dan dasar yang memberi impak kepada masyarakat umum, prinsip kesederhanaan perlu dititikberatkan. Dalam kata-kata Guan Eng, “Malaysia Pertengahan” mengutamakan “kerjasama daripada konflik”, konsultasi daripada konfrontasi” dan sebuah masyarakat yang inklusif bukannya eksklusif. Ini merupakan prinsip-prinsip utama dan pendekatan utama yang perlu dibawa oleh DAP dan Pakatan Rakyat. Sekiranya pendekatan dan prinsip ini dapat diterjemahkan dalam erti kata yang sebenarnya, tidak mustahil majoriti rakyat Malaysia akan menyokong agenda perubahan yang ingin dibawa oleh Pakatan Rakyat.
DAP sering dilabelkan oleh UMNO sebagai sebuah parti cauvinis yang ekstrem, sebuah parti orang Cina yang ingin menguasai segala-galanya dibumi Malaysia dan parti yang agendanya anti-Melayu dan anti-Islam. Sememangnya label-label ini menyebabkan ramai pengundi di kalangan masyarakat Melayu yang berwaspada terhadap DAP dan ramai yang menjauhinya selama ini. Walaupun DAP tidak pernah berfikiran sedemikian, namun ketiadaan peluang untuk DAP melaksanakan dasarnya selama ini tidak memungkinkan parti tersebut dapat mengubah persepsi negatif masyarakat Melayu terhadapnya. Kemunculan kerajaan negeri di bawah Pakatan Rakyat khususnya di Pulau Pinang membuka satu lembaran baru buat DAP.
Satu contoh yang baik ialah pendekatan yang diambil dalam menangani isu agama. Umum diketahui bahawa pendirian DAP yang tidak bersetuju dengan penubuhan Negara Islam dalam konteks Malaysia. Ia juga merupakan senjata yang sering digunakan oleh BN untuk melaga-lagakan hubungan DAP dengan PAS selama ini. Namun, ia sama sekali tidak bermakna bahawa DAP menentang agama Islam. Malah DAP telah secara terbuka menyatakan komitmennya mendukung status Islam sebagai agama rasmi persekutuan seperti yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Pendirian ini jelas dinyatakan dalam Dokumen Dasar Bersama Pakatan Rakyat yang dipersetujui bersama pada bulan Disember lepas. Komitmen ini bukan sahaja dinyatakan di atas kertas namun telah dimanifestasikan dalam pentadbiran kerajaan negeri yang dipimpin sendiri oleh Lim Guan Eng.
Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang telah menggandakan peruntukan tahunan untuk tujuan agama Islam sehingga RM24.3 juta untuk tahun 2010 berbanding RM12.5juta pada tahun 2008 di bawah kerajaan terdahulu yang dipimpin BN. Bukankah ini bukti kukuh bahawa kedudukan agama Islam bukan sahaja tidak tergugat malah didukung dan diperkukuhkan oleh sebuah kerajaan yang diterajui oleh DAP? Bukan sahaja peruntukan ditambah, malah Guan Eng memberi sokongan padu untuk menubuhkan sebuah Majlis Syura yang mengumpulkan sekumpulan pakar agama Islam untuk menasihati Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang dalam hal-ehwal agama Islam. Pada masa yang sama, perkembangan agama-agama lain tidak disekat dan dimudahcarakan seperti bantuan kewangan kepada tokong, kuil dan gereja. Permohonan tanah untuk pembinaan tempat beribadat pula diluluskan tanpa banyak karenah birokrasi. Ini tidak sama sekali mengugat kedudukan Islam sebagai agama rasmi di negara kita. Inilah pendekatan “Malaysia Pertengahan” untuk mewujudkan sebuah masyarakat pelbagai agama yang harmoni.
Satu lagi ciri kesederhanaan dalam “Malaysia Pertengahan” ialah menggunakan pendekatan yang aman dalam memperjuangkan sebarang isu. Cara kekerasan sama sekali tidak boleh diterima dalam pendekatan kita. Dalam sejarah perjuangan DAP, kami tidak pernah menghalalkan kekerasan biarpun apa isunya samada yang melibatkan kebudayaan, kaum ataupun pendidikan. Cara yang sinonim dengan DAP ialah kempen mengumpul tandatangan, forum,ceramah dan yang paling keras pun hanyalah mengambil sepanduk dan kainrentang. Ini adalah cara-cara yang tidak bercanggahan dengan semangat demokrasi. Justeru, serangan ke atas gereja, kuil Sikh dan surau baru-baru ini di seluruh negara merupakan tanda-tanda yang amat membimbangkan kami. Fenomena ini perlu dicegah dari awal dan semua pihak perlu mengutuk sekeras-kerasnya tindakan melampau seperti ini.
Kesimpulannya, “Malaysia Pertengahan” yang diidamkan oleh DAP adalah sebuah kerajaan yang melaksanakan dasar yang pragmatik yang bukan sahaja dapat menjana pertumbuhan dan meningkatkan daya saing negara tetapi juga menjamin keadilan sosial kepada rakyatnya, sebuah masyarakat majmuk yang hidup dalam keadaan harmoni dan saling hormat-menghormati serta politik yang mengutarakan pendekatan yang sederhana dan mengharamkan semangat pelampau. DAP tidak rela dilabelkan sebagai “juara bukan Melayu” kerana lawan kita bukannya orang Melayu. Kita mahu diiktiraf sebagai “juara intergriti” kerana lawan kita ialah rasuah dan penyelewengan serta “juara kesederhanaan” kerana kita juga mahu lawan ekstremisme dan mereka yang bersifat “ultra”. Inilah jalan pertengahan yang bakal menjadi lebuhraya penyambung ke Putrajaya untuk Pakatan Rakyat!
*Loke Siew Fook, Ahli Parlimen Rasah yang juga Pengarah Pendidikan Politik DAP dan Ketua Pemuda Sosialis DAP
左起文打烟区州议员魏宗贤, 服务中心公关茜法, 林女士与选区助理林生发
林女士指着废置已久的屋子
林女士指着野草丛生的屋子
林双银女士
