Let Malaysian Chinese and all  Malaysians give the biggest ang pow in 50 years to the nation and future generations – to vote  for change in 12^th general election so that Malaysians can stand united and tall to face challenges of globalization 

This is my 42^nd year in politics and the l0th and probably  last  general election which I will be contesting when Parliament is dissolved some time this month. 

I have only one wish for the Year of the Rat – let Malaysian Chinese and all Malaysians give the biggest ang pow of all – the “mother” of all ang pows – to the nation and future generations by voting for change in the 12^th general election so that Malaysians can stand united and tall to face the challenges of globalization. 

Let us make the 2008 Chinese New Year the most significant of all Chinese New Years in the country particularly as it  coincides with the nation’s  50^th Merdeka anniversary to mark a political coming-of-age with  a political will and commitment by Malaysian Chinese together with all Malaysians to usher in real change after 50 years of failure to fulfill the great potentials  of Malaysian nationhood. 

Let all Malaysian Chinese and Malaysians ponder long and hard what were the factors which had held  back Malaysia in the past five decades from being a world-class nation whether in terms of parliamentary democracy, rule of law, educational excellence, international competitiveness, efficient and incorruptible public service, low crime, quality of life  – allowing other countries  like Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea to overtake us and presently in peril of being left behind by others like Thailand, Vietnam and even Indonesia. 

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are very confident that the Barisan Nasional will be returned as the government in the 12^th general election.  They are right.  But if they can be proven wrong in being assured  that the Barisan Nasional could be returned with a parliamentary two-thirds majority, then Malaysia is set for far-reaching changes which can release hitherto untapped energies and forces which had kept Malaysia mediocre in the league of nations. 

Denial of two-thirds parliamentary majority to the Barisan Nasional in the next general election is not going to be easy – as it must ensure that Barisan Nasional is defeated in at least 75 out of 222 parliamentary seats. 

Neither the Prime Minister nor the Deputy Prime Minister can make any convincing case that in losing 75 parliamentary seats and deprived of parliamentary two-thirds majority, the Barisan Nasional would not have sufficient majority to govern – as Barisan Nasional would still have 147 parliamentary seats enjoying a substantial  majority of 72 seats which would be the envy of  all governments in first-world developed democracies. 

The 2008 Chinese New Year will be the most memorable of 50 years of Chinese New Year since Merdeka as well as all 50^th Merdeka anniversary celebrations if on this occasion, the Malaysian Chinese together with all Malaysians resolve that the  denial of two-thirds parliamentary majority to the ruling coalition in the next general election is the first step to the goal of “excellence, glory and distinction” for Malaysia. 

This will indeed be the biggest ang pow that Malaysian Chinese and all Malaysians can give to the nation and future generations to commemorate 50^th Merdeka anniversary!

* Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader, MP for Ipoh Timur & DAP Central Policy and Strategic Planning Commission Chairman