Media Statement

KeADILan-DAP ties

Parti Keadilan Nasional (keADILan) regrets very much the differences that have arisen between keADILan and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) over the application of some former DAP members in Penang to join keADILan.

KeADILan agrees with DAP leaders that in considering the applications of these ex-DAP members, keADILan should adhere to the 3 principles endorsed by the Council of Leaders of the Barisan Alternatif on 27 April 1999. These principles were made public in a media statement issued by Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (President, keADILan), Dato Fadzil Noor (President, PAS) Lim Kit Siang (then, Secretary-General DAP) and Dr. Syed Husin Ali (President, PRM) on 28 April 1999. The 3 principles are:-

i) To give priority to cooperation and this should override all other matters.

ii) To respect the individual's right of free association, consistent with the spirit of fundamental human rights and the Constitution of Malaysia.

iii) Not to entertain membership application from anyone involved in controversies which may jeopardise cooperation between the opposition parties.

Cooperation among the Barisan Alternatif parties is a paramount consideration. This is especially so in view of the forthcoming Sarawak state election. DAP and keADILan in particular should forge a strong link if the Opposition is to perform well in the election.

This is why the two parties should set aside their differences over membership applications and work together for the good of the people. They should refrain from airing their differences through the media. By so doing, we are falling into the Barisan Nasional's trap. Any tiff between BA parties will be exploited to the hilt by the BN controlled media to divert public attention from the BN's own internal conflicts which are rife and rampant..

Let keADILan and DAP leaders and members place the larger interest of the BA and the people above everything else.

Dr. Chandra Muzaffar
Deputy President
Parti Keadilan Nasional (keADILan)
27 February 2001