DAP lodges Police report against Barisan Nasional for committing electoral
offences in its five inflammatory full-page advertisements
in the various language newspapers today
Media Conference Statement
by Lim Kit Siang
(Penang Police Headquarters, Sunday): I
have just lodged a police report at the Penang State Police Headquarters
against the Barisan Nasional for committing election offences in intimidating
the 9.6 million voters and obstructing them from voting freely without
coercion in the Nov. 29, 1999 general election.
In my police report lodged at 9.40 a.m. , I said:
"Barisan Nasional committed these election offences in the form
of five full-page advertisements in the various language newspapers like
the Star, Sun, Nanyang Siang Pao, Kwong Wah Jit Poh, Kong Ming Daily News,
such as the ones under the heading ‘Don’t Let hatred Win’, "Don’t Let Mob
Rule Lead Us’, "No to Violence" depicting scenes calculated to create fear
and insecurity if voters support the Opposition. These are offences
under the Election Offences Act 1954."
I call on the national leadership of the Barisan Nasional under Datuk
Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and the state leadership under Tan Sri Dr. Koh
Tsu Koon to immediately halt these inflammatory and irresponsible political
advertisements designed to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
DAP leaders are studying the legal implications of these five inflammatory
advertisements and would lodge more police reports if they involve the
commitment of other offences under other laws.
I would urge newspapers to exercise responsibility and to draw a clear
distinction between responsible political advertisements from irresponsible
political advertisements.
(21/11/99)
*Lim Kit Siang - DAP Secretary-General,
Parliamentary Candidate for Bukit Bendera and State Assembly candidate
for Kebun Bunga