In the last few days, for example, the DAP had been the subject of attack by these Barisan Nasional propaganda channels. But DAP is not the only target. On Monday, during the Chinese Radio 5 noon news, listeners were given a “glimpse of history” on the occasion of the 44th National Day, which said that when the Alliance was established in 1957, PAS was not accepted by UMNO because PAS “wanted to deprive and dispossess” the Chinese of their property and wealth.
It is for PAS to respond to the Radio 5 Chinese news commentary as to its veracity or otherwise, but will the Radio 5 Chinese news “glimpses of history” be reminding the listeners about the UMNO Youth Rally in October 1987 where banners with the words “SOAK IT (KRIS) WITH CHINESE BLOOD” were displayed and the UMNO Youth demonstration last August threatening to burn down the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall over the Suqiu election appeals?
The Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister, Datuk Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir has called on all Malaysians to put aside their differences to celebrate the National Day without racial, religious and political barriers.
It is clear that he has forgotten to direct his call to his Cabinet colleagues.
Can he ensure that no National Day message, whether by the Prime Minister or any government leader, would be issued this year which could undermine the unity and solidarity of Malaysians as happened last year, when the Prime Minister’s National Day Message was one of the lowest points of the Malaysian nation-building process for over four decades?
(17/8/2001)