BN dynasty crumbling, says Bukit Bendera MP
Athi VeerangganPublished: Sep 17, 2008 8:39 AM | Updated: Sep 17, 2008 8:44 AM
The dramatic resignation of de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim and the government’s use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against three persons last week “are signs of a crumbling dynasty”.
The dramatic resignation of de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim and the government’s use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against three persons last week “are signs of a crumbling dynasty”.
DAP’s Bukit Bendera parliamentarian Liew Chin Tong said these are signs of the beginning of the end for Barisan Nasional (BN) rule.
“Events of the past week are signs of a crumbling dynasty that signal the start of BN’s demise,” he said.
“Zaid resigned and criticised his former colleagues. Why should he do that if everything is well within the government?”
Zaid had resigned in protest of the detention of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Selangor exco member Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng last Friday. However, Tan was released after 18 hours.
The exit is only the second time that a cabinet minister has quit his post over a policy or action by the government. Previously, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Musa Hitam had left the cabinet.
Zaid’s resignation has been applauded by civil rights groups as a principled decision, and has added to the pressure on premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from members of his Umno party as well as BN component parties.
Liew said the ISA arrests were a sign of a frantic government committing grave mistakes in a desperate attempt to save itself from being ousted.
“It’s a tactical blunder that a sensible government would not commit,” he told Malaysiakini.
‘New government on track’
Since the arrests, the DAP has held several candlelight vigils and launched a nationwide campaign to get at least a million signatures to compel the government to release Kok, the party’s national organising secretary.
Liew gave an assurance that Pakatan Rakyat would abolish the ISA when it comes to federal power because the law “is outdated and against (the principle of) natural justice”.
The opposition coalition will also release all ISA detainees currently being held at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak, he said.
Liew, the DAP strategist, said his party would back PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim all the way in his bid for federal takeover. He also added to ongoing hints that this could take place in the next few days.
Taking a positive cue from widespread public disappointment yesterday of being letdown by an uneventful ‘916’, Liew noted that it showed a nationwide yearning for change.
He said people want a change of government for a much-needed boost to the stagnant economy and to end uncontrolled leakages, wastage and mismanagement that have led to the national coffers being drained.
DAP’s Bukit Bendera parliamentarian Liew Chin Tong said these are signs of the beginning of the end for Barisan Nasional (BN) rule.“Events of the past week are signs of a crumbling dynasty that signal the start of BN’s demise,” he said.
“Zaid resigned and criticised his former colleagues. Why should he do that if everything is well within the government?”
Zaid had resigned in protest of the detention of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Selangor exco member Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng last Friday. However, Tan was released after 18 hours.
The exit is only the second time that a cabinet minister has quit his post over a policy or action by the government. Previously, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Musa Hitam had left the cabinet.
Zaid’s resignation has been applauded by civil rights groups as a principled decision, and has added to the pressure on premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from members of his Umno party as well as BN component parties. Liew said the ISA arrests were a sign of a frantic government committing grave mistakes in a desperate attempt to save itself from being ousted.
“It’s a tactical blunder that a sensible government would not commit,” he told Malaysiakini.
‘New government on track’
Since the arrests, the DAP has held several candlelight vigils and launched a nationwide campaign to get at least a million signatures to compel the government to release Kok, the party’s national organising secretary.
Liew gave an assurance that Pakatan Rakyat would abolish the ISA when it comes to federal power because the law “is outdated and against (the principle of) natural justice”.
The opposition coalition will also release all ISA detainees currently being held at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak, he said.Liew, the DAP strategist, said his party would back PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim all the way in his bid for federal takeover. He also added to ongoing hints that this could take place in the next few days.
Taking a positive cue from widespread public disappointment yesterday of being letdown by an uneventful ‘916’, Liew noted that it showed a nationwide yearning for change.
He said people want a change of government for a much-needed boost to the stagnant economy and to end uncontrolled leakages, wastage and mismanagement that have led to the national coffers being drained.
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