“We have proven in Penang and Selangor that Pakatan Rakyat can look after the Chinese better than MCA, take care of the Malays better than UMNO, help the Indians better than MIC!”

In a special party congress held at the One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya DAP national secretary-general Lim Guan Eng took the podium and pounded the Barisan Nasional government and the Registrar of Society for attempting to insidiously pull down DAP as a legitimate political party in Malaysia.

“DAP is in a state of crisis because we are a victim of our success. DAP’s electoral success have made DAP a threat to BN. BN is desperate. Knowing that DAP can not be defeated with the people’s support, BN has resorted to abusing the legal powers of the Registrar of Societies to finish off the DAP by exploiting DAP’s honesty,” Lim said.

The special congress is held for the purpose of holding the election of Central Executive Committee (CEC) members following ROS’s refusal to recognise the CEC line-up that was selected in the party’s national congress held in Penang last December.

“In the 47 year old history of the DAP, never has the party achieved such huge electoral successes as in the 13th General Elections. We have won seats from Kedah to Sabah with 38 parliamentary seats and 107 state seats and is now the second largest political party in Malaysia.”

Before a packed hall 2,000 plus , he reminded the delegates that Malaysia has already awakened and are waiting for change to happen. “Don’t forget that Pakatan Rakyat won the 13th GE with 51 percent of the popular vote. The rightful Prime Minister should be Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. We won the votes yet our victory was denied.”

He also pointed out that despite UMNO’s relentless race-baiting efforts, it has only increase its Malay vote nationally by only 1.2 percent. “UMNO’s Malay votes even fell in Penang, despite the intense lies of DAP and me being anti-Malay and anti-Islam.”

Lim outlined several areas that DAP will pursue for in order to realise the Malaysian Dream of a people-centric democracy with maximum governance, minimum government and winning the future by educating for unity, integrity and competency.

“First we want to renew our faith in the ideals of Merdeka as a Malaysian nation where we are free from oppression, poverty, corruption and ignorance.”

Lim said DAP will push for reforms in several areas such having a clean and fair electoral system, decentralisation of government’s powers and  establishing rule of law to protect basic human rights amongst others.

He laid further that public confidence or trust is a necessary condition for economic growth. Trust can only be built by establishing institutions that promotes transparency through an open competitive tenders, abolishing poverty and providing basic amenities especially in Sabah and Sarawak and other areas as sell.

Lim reiterated DAP’s commitment  to the concept of Middle Malaysia that espouses the politics of moderation and inclusion. The Shah Alam Declaration adopted at the National Conference in January 2012 that identifies DAP’s commitment to uphold the Federal Constitution in several areas such as uphold the system of parliamentary democracy and the Malay Rulers, preserve the special position of the Malays and Bumiputeras while protecting the rights of other races and recognise Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the Malaysian Federation.

“DAP aspires to be a party for all Malaysians. We want to speak for all races. DAP does not aspire to be MCA or Gerakan or even an UMNO clone. Their decline in the recent elections is a clear sign that race-based politics has no future in Malaysia.”