Offering Johor and the nation a better deal

DAP Johor officially kicks starts election preparation work with this State-level Election Preparation Meeting.

First, we are running against time as we cannot rule out a separate state election in Johor and Sabah as UMNO Johor is trying to “decouple” itself from the negative sentiments against Prime Minister Najib Razak.

DAP Johor State Committee formed the State Election Committee on 29^th May 2016. Apart from the State-level Election Preparation Meeting, the State Election Committee will organise Election Workshops in each of the parliamentary constituencies, starting with Kluang on 14^th August 2016.

Second, the DAP must not stop short at just campaigning on anti-Najib sentiments. We need to build a new national narrative, a clear alternative policy agenda and a strong connection with the local communities to convince Malaysians that lives after the fall of Najib would be a better one and a defeat of Barisan Nasional means a better Malaysia.

Malaysia will celebrate her 60^th Merdeka in 2017. We must convince Malaysians that a new government at both national and state levels mean a maturing process for the nation.

It is in this context that the presence of Selangor Exco Ean Yong Hian Wah, Selangor DAP Political Education Director Lee Kee Hiong and the Selangor local councilors are meaningful for DAP Johor. DAP Johor thanks Ean Yong’s offer to create an internship for Johor DAP leaders to learn from various level of Selangor Government.

The meeting is attended by DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang, Selangor Exco Ean Yong Hian Wah, Selangor Assemblywoman for Kuala Kubu Baru Lee Kee Hiong, DAP Johor Deputy Chairman S. Ramakrisnan, Johor Opposition Leader Gan Peck Cheng, DAP Johor Election Committee Deputy Chairman Lim Eng Guan, DAP Johor elected reps, State Committee members and key grassroots leaders.

The battle to offer Johoreans and Malaysians a new deal would not be a walk in the park. It is not going to easy. But it will be meaningful and emotional uplifting.

(Speech by DAP Johor Chairman Liew Chin Tong at DAP Johor State-level Election Preparation Meeting on Saturday 13^th August 2016 in Batu Pahat and released on 14^th August 2016.)