Two major questions will influence the decision on my political
future:
The answer to the first question is incontrovertible - unanimous vote of confidence from the DAP Central Executive Committee as well as solid support from the various state committees, branches and members, to the extent that I have to specifically ask the DAP leaders, state committees and branches not to issue any public statement or adopt any resolution on the issue lest accusations are made of an attempt to stampede public opinion.
My decision will therefore finally hinge on the answer to the second question.
I thank all who have given me their opinions, whether through email, letter, phone call and direct contact, as well as those who gave their views through the media, both printed and electronic.
I respect the many views and opinions expressed through the media which are held in good faith and I do not begrudge those who have political axes to grind and who took the opportunity to shoot their arrows at me.
It is ironic that although I have been accused by certain elements as being undemocratic and dictatorial, I am the first and only political leader in the country who is prepared to submit himself to public feedback as to whether he should relinquish his party positions and retire from politics - despite getting full backing from the leaders, members and organisation of his party.
I wonder what would have happened if there is a similar exercise for a public feedback as to whether Barisan Nasional leaders like Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik, Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik and Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu should resign from their high party posts and retire from politics, with freedom for anyone to give their views, whether pros or cons, in the printed and electronic media?
Undoubtedly, editors would have been sacked, KDNs withdrawn and newspapers closed.
(12/2/2000)