Statement
by Lim Kit Siang - Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Tanjong
in Petaling Jaya
on Monday, 23rd December 1996

Christmas this year should be an occasion for Malaysians to resolve to strengthen the multi-religious and multi-cultural character of Malaysia as the two top assets of the country

Christmas this year should be an occasion for Malaysians to resolve to strengthen the multi-religious and multi-cultural character of Malaysia as the two top assets of the country to draw on the rich diversity of the different great civilizations which find a confluence in Malaysia as well as to strengthen the spiritual and moral foundations of the Malaysian nation-building process.

As a multi-religious nation, Malaysians celebrate the festivities of the different religions which have been given recognition by being declared public holidays. For this reason, I wish all Malaysian Christians a Happy Christmas as well as all Malaysians of other faiths festive cheer as well.

It is pertinent to note that last week, Australian church leaders in their pre-Christmas messages called for racial harmony and compassion at Christmas, warning that self-interest, greed and racism were threatening the nation’s stability.

Sydney’s Catholic archbishop Cardinal Edward Clancy warned that the harmony of Australia’s multi-cultural society, which consists of 69 ethnic groups, remained fragile.

In his pre-Christmas message, Sydney’s Anglican Archbishop Harry Goodhew called for compassion for those in need, adding that Christmas in Australia was becoming a time of animosity, self-interest and greed

Australia has witnessed a record number of complaints of racial discrimination in recent months as a four-month long race debate brought latent xenophobia into the open.

The latest reports of racial abuse came from Malaysians studying in Australia, who have been verbally assaulted and spat at.

It is unfortunate that the Malaysian government had not heeded my call two months ago proposing a strong representation to the Australian government about the repercussions of the race debate sparked by the Independent Member of Parliament, Pauline Hanson and expressing concern about the welfare and safety of 10,000 Malaysian students in Australia.

I had forewarned that while the Malaysian authorities should not over-react to the racist speech of one Indepedent MP, it would be a mistake to under-react to the outbursts of anti-Asian racism in Australia, particularly as a result of the refusal of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard to forthwrightly and swiftly condemn and repudiate Hanson’s anti-Asian speech.

While Australia is facing a crisis over the issue of multiculturalism, Malaysia should strengthen and deepen multi-cultural and multi-religious basis of nation-building which will give the country a strategic position in the new millennium.

(23/12/96)