The two DAP inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogues with Hadi and Nik Aziz are only the first two steps in a "journey of a  thousand miles" to create a new Malaysia where there is compatibility between democracy and Islam to promote justice, freedom and good governance

Speech (3)
- DAP Siputeh Solidarity Dinner
by Lim Kit Siang 

(Kuala Lumpur, Sunday): Two nights ago, on 3rd March 2000,  the DAP organised the second inter-political, inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogue featuring the Kelantan Mentri Besar, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar, Haji Abdul Halim bin Abdul Rahman, the Speaker of Kelantan State Assembly,  Hj. Wan Abdul Rahim bin Wan Abdullah and the State Executive Councillor (Social Development, Community Relations, Health and Environment) Hj. Anuar Tan bin Abdullah  and DAP Secretary-General and MP for Kota Melaka, Kerk Kim Hock on the theme "Islam and a Just Malaysia".

The first DAP inter-political, inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogue on the topic "PAS Terengganu Government - Towards A Just Malaysia" featured Terengganu PAS Mentri Besar, Haji Hadi Ahmad Awang and four senior state executive councillors, Mustapha Ali (Economic Development, Petroleum and Industry), Harun Taib (Education, Dakwah and Syariah Implementation), Wan Abdul Muttalib Embong (Local  Government and Housing) and former Lord
President Tun Salleh Abas (Special Tasks & Hisbah).

These two DAP inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogues with Hadi and Nik Aziz are only the first two steps in a "journey of  a thousand miles" to create a new Malaysia where there is compatibility between democracy and Islam to promote justice, freedom and good governance.

In the next four to five years, inter-party, inter-religious and inter-civilisational forums must be held in various parts of the country and involve  leaders from all  religions and all  political parties, both Barisan Alternative and Barisan Nasional if they are willing, to break the shackles of the past of inter-racial, inter-religious and inter-cultural suspicion and distrust to build a new Malaysia based on the principles of justice, freedom, democracy and good governance.

I said on Friday that  political Islam in Malaysia can only succeed in winning the support of Malaysians, both Muslim and non-Muslim, by demonstrating that it is full committed to the principles of justice, freedom, democracy and good governance and it is my hope that the series of inter-political, inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogues in the next few years will make an important contribution towards constructing a new political paradigm in Malaysia based on the compability of Islam and democracy.

(5/3/2000)

*Lim Kit Siang - DAP National Chairman