Let Malaysia start on a new slate in 1999 to restore public confidence in the independence, impartiality and integrity of government institutions by the establishment  of an Independent Commission of Inquiry to take over investigations into the Anwar Ibrahim "black eye"


1999 New Year Message
by Lim Kit Siang  

(Petaling Jaya, Thursday):  1998 has been a  year of unprecedented political and economic crisis for Malaysia.

Never before has public confidence in the independence, impartiality and integrity of the institutions of government and democracy been so shaken as in the last 12 months, as evidenced by the following events:
 

Let Malaysia start on a new slate in 1999 to restore public confidence in the independence, impartiality and integrity of government institutions by the establishment of an Independent Commission of Inquiry to take over investigations into the Anwar Ibrahim "black eye" scandal.

If necessary, such an Independent Commission of Inquiry should also investigate into the  manner the police investigation panel had conducted its investigations and the reasons for the inordinate delay by the Attorney-General Chambers to act on the police findings.

Let 1999 be a year for Malaysian citizens to stand up for their  citizenship rights, starting with the demand that the government must immediately account for the scandal of Anwar Ibrahim’s "black eye" while in police custody - which now symbolises the refusal of the government to adhere to the fundamental principles of good governance - accountability, transparency, responsibility and integrity.

(31/12/98)


*Lim Kit Siang - Malaysian Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Democratic Action Party Secretary-General & Member of Parliament for Tanjong