Explain Gerakan involvement in Suqiu-Umno Youth talks
Ng Boon HooiPublished: Jan 8, 2001 11:37 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Suqiu has been asked to explain the involvement of Gerakan in the series of secret meetings with Umno Youth leading to the Chinese lobby group "setting aside" seven of its 83 sub-points contained in its election appeals.
A group of the Chinese youth and graduates organisations questioned today why Suqiu, which is an independent body, had allowed Gerakan to interfere in its dialogue with Umno Youth, and whether the dialogue was conducted under pressure.
Suqiu has been asked to explain the involvement of Gerakan in the series of secret meetings with Umno Youth leading to the Chinese lobby group "setting aside" seven of its 83 sub-points contained in its election appeals.
A group of the Chinese youth and graduates organisations questioned today why Suqiu, which is an independent body, had allowed Gerakan to interfere in its dialogue with Umno Youth, and whether the dialogue was conducted under pressure.
Group spokesman Chew Chong Sin (photo) said today that it was not exactly a "dialogue" between Suqiu, also known as the Malaysian Chinese Organisations' Election Appeals Committee, and Umno Youth since the talks involved a third party, Gerakan, a Barisan Nasional component party.
"The interference had raised the suspicion on whether the dialogue had been pressured by the political party, which eventually forced Suqiu in putting aside the seven sub-points of its 17-point appeals.
"The dialogue did not need any arrangement by any third party as the dialogue should be held in an equal manner," Chew said at a press conference this morning at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall premises.
"As the signatory organisations, we reiterate the support for the appeals containing 83 sub-spoints, and objected to Suqiu Committee, which had not obtained the agreement of the signatory bodies and without any discussion, putting aside those seven sub-points in their individual capacities," said Chew.
The 12 organisations were among more than 2,000 signatory bodies which had endorsed Suqiu's election appeals, which were first submitted to the government and various political parties before the November 1999 general elections.
Nanyang Siang Pau reported yesterday, quoting Gerakan deputy president Kerk Choo Ting, that he (Kerk) had chaired and coordinated the series of dialogue between Suqiu and Umno Youth.
The report also said that Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon, Gerakan Youth chief Teng Chang Yeow and six other Gerakan members were in the coordinating team.
Another report by the same Chinese daily said that the dialogue had begun on Dec 24 last year and ended on Jan 5, altogether involving seven sessions.
Gerakan pays for meetings
The report quoted Kerk as saying that both parties (Suqiu and Umno Youth) had their own stands and the three parties (Umno Youth, Suqiu and Gerakan Coordinating Team) did not have much experience in negotiations and they encountered much difficulty.
Kerk admitted in the report that the expenses incurred were borne by Gerakan and he was glad that the negotiations finished before Jan 6 as GPMS was scheduled to hold their assembly against Suqiu the next day.
The 12 groups present at today's press conference were Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Youth Graduates Society, New Vision Studio, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Lihua Alumni, Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement, Inter-varsity Council, USM Tionghua Language Society, Malaysia Graduates Council Committee, Universities Communities' Friend Committee, UTM Progressive Front, Red Rose Youth Centre, Huang Huo Studio and UTM Chinese Students Representatives Council.
Suqiu has "set aside"seven of its 83-sub points considered "sensitive" following a closed-door meeting with Umno Youth in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur last Friday ([#1]Suqiu backs down, 'sensitive' points dropped from discussion[/#], Jan 5).
Citing "prevailing ethnic tension" as the primary consideration for its decision, both Umno Youth and Suqiu announced the decision via a written statement at a joint press conference headed by Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein and Suqiu chairman Quek Suan Hiang.
"We think that Suqiu is only a scapegoat, the issue has nothing to do with 'sensitive points'," said the 12 groups.
The group said it supported Article 153 of the Federal Constitution which stipulates the "special position" of the Malay, Orang Asli of Sabah and Sarawak, but they opposed the "special rights and privileges" which are not under the Constitution.
They said under the principle of transparency, they seriously urged Suqiu to hold a briefing for the signatory organisations as soon as possible, to explain the reasons and the logic for putting aside those seven sub-points.
Apart from the seven sub-points which allegedly questioned Malay special rights, other points cover the issues of national unity, democracy, political reform, human rights, anti-corruption, independence of the judiciary, socio-economic justice, education, environment protection, multi-culturalism, housing, professionalism of the police, freedom of the media, and rights of women and indigenous people.
Suqiu taken to task
"Suqiu should consult the opinions of the signatory organisations and the people," Chew said.
"They should disclose the contents of the dialogue and also their meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad a few months ago," he added.
The 12 groups said that the Suqiu appeals are supported and recognised by the signatory bodies.
"No one, including Suqiu Committee or Umno Youth can make any changes or put aside any parts," they lamented, adding that they had sent a wreath to Suqiu this morning as a sign of mourning for Suqiu.
They also complained that Suqiu and Umno Youth's joint statement had put a negative impact to the democratic development of the country.
"We respect and appreciate the efforts made by Suqiu; however, if the committee cannot offer a rational explanation, we urge the committee to resign," said the groups, which collectively represent the major Chinese youth movement in the country.
Chew said since Umno Youth did not represent the whole Malay community, they urged Suqiu to have dialogues and talks with other Malay organisations.
They also urged Suqiu to take legal action against Bernama, Malay language and English dailies who had not reported the development accurately, using words like "withdraw, retract and tarik balik" in place of "put aside" as stated in the official joint statement.
A group of the Chinese youth and graduates organisations questioned today why Suqiu, which is an independent body, had allowed Gerakan to interfere in its dialogue with Umno Youth, and whether the dialogue was conducted under pressure.
Group spokesman Chew Chong Sin (photo) said today that it was not exactly a "dialogue" between Suqiu, also known as the Malaysian Chinese Organisations' Election Appeals Committee, and Umno Youth since the talks involved a third party, Gerakan, a Barisan Nasional component party.
"The interference had raised the suspicion on whether the dialogue had been pressured by the political party, which eventually forced Suqiu in putting aside the seven sub-points of its 17-point appeals.
"The dialogue did not need any arrangement by any third party as the dialogue should be held in an equal manner," Chew said at a press conference this morning at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall premises.
"As the signatory organisations, we reiterate the support for the appeals containing 83 sub-spoints, and objected to Suqiu Committee, which had not obtained the agreement of the signatory bodies and without any discussion, putting aside those seven sub-points in their individual capacities," said Chew.
The 12 organisations were among more than 2,000 signatory bodies which had endorsed Suqiu's election appeals, which were first submitted to the government and various political parties before the November 1999 general elections.
Nanyang Siang Pau reported yesterday, quoting Gerakan deputy president Kerk Choo Ting, that he (Kerk) had chaired and coordinated the series of dialogue between Suqiu and Umno Youth.
The report also said that Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon, Gerakan Youth chief Teng Chang Yeow and six other Gerakan members were in the coordinating team.
Another report by the same Chinese daily said that the dialogue had begun on Dec 24 last year and ended on Jan 5, altogether involving seven sessions.
Gerakan pays for meetings
The report quoted Kerk as saying that both parties (Suqiu and Umno Youth) had their own stands and the three parties (Umno Youth, Suqiu and Gerakan Coordinating Team) did not have much experience in negotiations and they encountered much difficulty.
Kerk admitted in the report that the expenses incurred were borne by Gerakan and he was glad that the negotiations finished before Jan 6 as GPMS was scheduled to hold their assembly against Suqiu the next day.
The 12 groups present at today's press conference were Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Youth Graduates Society, New Vision Studio, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Lihua Alumni, Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement, Inter-varsity Council, USM Tionghua Language Society, Malaysia Graduates Council Committee, Universities Communities' Friend Committee, UTM Progressive Front, Red Rose Youth Centre, Huang Huo Studio and UTM Chinese Students Representatives Council.
Suqiu has "set aside"seven of its 83-sub points considered "sensitive" following a closed-door meeting with Umno Youth in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur last Friday ([#1]Suqiu backs down, 'sensitive' points dropped from discussion[/#], Jan 5).
Citing "prevailing ethnic tension" as the primary consideration for its decision, both Umno Youth and Suqiu announced the decision via a written statement at a joint press conference headed by Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein and Suqiu chairman Quek Suan Hiang.
"We think that Suqiu is only a scapegoat, the issue has nothing to do with 'sensitive points'," said the 12 groups.
The group said it supported Article 153 of the Federal Constitution which stipulates the "special position" of the Malay, Orang Asli of Sabah and Sarawak, but they opposed the "special rights and privileges" which are not under the Constitution.
They said under the principle of transparency, they seriously urged Suqiu to hold a briefing for the signatory organisations as soon as possible, to explain the reasons and the logic for putting aside those seven sub-points.
Apart from the seven sub-points which allegedly questioned Malay special rights, other points cover the issues of national unity, democracy, political reform, human rights, anti-corruption, independence of the judiciary, socio-economic justice, education, environment protection, multi-culturalism, housing, professionalism of the police, freedom of the media, and rights of women and indigenous people.
Suqiu taken to task
"Suqiu should consult the opinions of the signatory organisations and the people," Chew said.
"They should disclose the contents of the dialogue and also their meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad a few months ago," he added.
The 12 groups said that the Suqiu appeals are supported and recognised by the signatory bodies.
"No one, including Suqiu Committee or Umno Youth can make any changes or put aside any parts," they lamented, adding that they had sent a wreath to Suqiu this morning as a sign of mourning for Suqiu.
They also complained that Suqiu and Umno Youth's joint statement had put a negative impact to the democratic development of the country.
"We respect and appreciate the efforts made by Suqiu; however, if the committee cannot offer a rational explanation, we urge the committee to resign," said the groups, which collectively represent the major Chinese youth movement in the country.
Chew said since Umno Youth did not represent the whole Malay community, they urged Suqiu to have dialogues and talks with other Malay organisations.
They also urged Suqiu to take legal action against Bernama, Malay language and English dailies who had not reported the development accurately, using words like "withdraw, retract and tarik balik" in place of "put aside" as stated in the official joint statement.
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