lim keng yaik

DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY

Media Statement

by DAP National Chairman Lim Kit Siang in Penang on Sunday, 22nd April 2001:

Keng Yaik’s ignominious turnabout to support ISA arrests solely based on hearsay without any hard evidence dishonourable and deplorable
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The ignominious turnabout of the Gerakan President and Primary Industries Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik to support the ISA arrests of the eight reformasi activists solely based on hearsay without any hard evidence is most dishonourable and deplorable.

Although he did not go as far as the three Penang Gerakan State Executive Councillors, Dr. Toh Kin Woon, Dr. Teng Hock Nam and Kee Phaik Chin to express their opposition to the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA), he did earlier express his reservations about the use of the detention-without-trial law which is a fundamental breach of human rights and the rule of law.

Suddenly, without any evidence, Keng Yaik has become a full convert to support the ISA detention of the eight, declaring: "The truth is that they were arrested for endangering the security of the country and not for
political gains of anyone including the Barisan Nasional".

Can Keng Yaik disclose where he discovered such a "truth" and what evidence are there to back his new "truth"?

With the ignominious turnabout, the MCA Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Chor Chee Heung seems vindicated when he said that all Barisan Nasional members
are in support of the ISA except several middle-rung leaders who were unsure of the provisions of ISA or should do more homework on it.

There is a need for all rungs of the Gerakan leadership to make clear
their stand on the ISA and all the other repressive and draconian laws which Suhakam has acknowledged violate all international norms of human
rights.

As Suhakam has called for the immediate release of the eight detained under the ISA, is Keng Yaik prepared to raise the Suhakam call at the Cabinet meeting for discussion on Wednesday?

Lim Kit Siang

Gerakan members warned to toe the line on ISA detentions

WHAT A SHAME !

by Hamidah Atan (news@n...)

Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik today warned party leaders and members to abide by decisions made by the party's central committee or risk disciplinary action.

Referring to the detention of Opposition leaders and activists under the Internal Security Act, he said a decision had been made by the central committee last week that it supported the action by the police.

"As far as Gerakan is concerned, we oppose illegal rallies or assemblies by quarters out to disturb unity and peace in the country. Such activities can easily escalate into street violence and under the circumstances, we support action by the police to nab these leaders and activists."

Once a decision had been reached at by the central committee, he said, all leaders and members were expected to respect and follow it.

"Gerakan has always been receptive towards the ideas and personal opinions of grassroot members as well as its leaders. However, I want to stress a point here that once the party has made a decision, we expect them to respect and follow it.

"Stick to the party's decision. Those who argue show that they are indisciplined. We can take disciplinary action against such members, he said, commenting on calls by some Gerakan leaders for the detainees to be released.

Gerakan could not afford to have indisciplined leaders and members.

"We expect every member, irrespective of their personal views, to follow the party's decision," he said. "They do not have to say anything once a decision has been made."