Resign Hishammuddin

MEDIA STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2ND SEPTEMBER 2009

We have come a long way since 1998. All our effort, patience, struggle and sacrifice were because we were working for a brighter future for our kids and Malaysia . The last ten years have not been easy (as you well know):- we were arrested; tear gases, chased all over KL by the police and FRU. The mainstream media smeared us and we were ridiculed by most of society, but we persevered and we dared to dream – we dared to imagine how it would be like to rule. Now, after more than ten years we have the opportunity to actually live out that dream – the dream of a fairer, more equal and caring society.

And yet – we have to realize that we are now actually at the beginning. We have not yet arrived nor have we achieved our dreams. There is so much work to do to bring about the necessary changes. Racial politics is very much a part and parcel of and the Barisan National Coalition parties are mainly divided by race and religion. Where do we start – how do we go about becoming different- more mature, more ‘Malaysian’?

What do we want to do? How do we intend to make a difference?

Hishammuddin has met with a group who has no respect for other Malaysians, and worse still defends them, forgetting that he is the Minster of Internal Affairs of all Malaysians. Can we now accept that anyone who is disrespectful of other Malaysians and is still under investigation, will be heard by the Minister himself. Hey - all you thieves, murderers, rapists, corrupt officials and whoever else can now turn to Hishammuddin before the AG decides what to do.

Hishammuddin, who is the Minister of Internal Affairs, has in the past :-

1. has waved his keris inciting bloodshed

2. has supported the arrest of lawyers who went to defend those detained by the police

3. has arrested 580 people (this is a record) for standing up for their rights to protest against the ISA

4. now defends a group who is prepared to bring about racial unrest and bloodshed

This shows that he has utter disrespect for the rule of law and uses his position and power for his own political gain.

What a nice guy - maybe he should hold talks with the state officials as well to get a better picture. Oops! I forgot he cannot talk to us - we are Pakatan. He only talks to Umno. We would like to ask him, what his view are about places of worship for Malaysians. Don’t we need to take care of everyone, when according to his cousin we are 1 Malaysia(what ever that means) or does he agree with George Orwell in Animal Farm who said that’ “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.”.

Incidentally, Hishamuddin should also check with his lawyers on whether it is further abuse of power to meet up and talk to the suspects even before the case is closed. Isn’t he trying to influence the A.G. and interfering in police investigation? WE ASK FOR HIM TO STEP DOWN OR BE SACKED AS MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS as he has broken the trust placed in him by Malaysians.

It would also be interesting to find out how MCA, MIC, Gerakan, and others in the BN are thinking or saying. Do minorities have a right to pray, build a place of worship and live peacefully with other Malaysians, or does UMNO and the BN prescribe that we build our places of worship in the heart of a jungle, where we will be out of sight and this is safe for BN. We teach our children Rukun Negara, moral studies in school, but how do we explain to a child that toleration is important when such hatred and irresponsible behaviour is supported by national leaders.

I humbly ask all peace loving Malaysians to hold fast to our Malaysian values: of belief in God, of tolerance and goodwill and a spirit of give and take among neighbours.

Dr Xavier Jayakumar

Selangor State EXCO

2nd September 2009