Press statement by Teresa Kok, National Vice-Chairperson of DAP and MP for Seputeh on 8 December 2016 at Kuala Lumpur
Government Should Announce the Criteria of the Appointment of Senators, Particularly the Rationale of the Appointment of Khairul Azwan Harun
Many Malaysians were shocked to read the appointment of Six Umno leaders as senators after the recently concluded UMNO Assembly, including Umno Youth Vice-Chief Khairul Azwan Harun. The appointment of Khairul Azwan made many wonder what is the criteria of the appointment of senators in Malaysia.
On November 30, 2016, Khairul Azwan while speaking at the UMNO Youth Assembly, warned the Chinese of a possible backlash if they continue to shun Barisan Nasional (BN). He said continued support for the “anti-Muslim” DAP could see Umno and other Bumiputera-based parties emerge victors in the next general elections to subsequently form the bulk of the government. This would result a high chance for the government to give less attention to Chinese vernacular schools, for example. Or there may be a demand to abolish Chinese schools completely.
Khairul’s racist statements have invited criticism from all quarters, including leaders from the component parties of BN.
It is illogical and unacceptable for the government to appoint him as a senator after his racist speech in the UMNO Youth Assembly. One may wonder whether this is the reward given to Khairul Azwan for stoking racial fire in the UMNO Youth Assembly?
In many democratic countries in the world, the status of a senator is higher than a Member of Parliament in the lower house. In Malaysia, the senate or “Dewan Negara” is supposed to review the laws that have been passed by the lower house, before they are sent to the King for royal assent. Originally, the Dewan Negara was meant to act as a check on the Dewan Rakyat and represent the interests of the various states.
As the Senate is an important institution in the democratic system of Malaysia, I urge the government to announce the criteria of the appointment of senators, especially the appointment of Khairul Azwan Harun.
The rakyat should also be told whether the BN government and the Prime Minister Najib have dropped the slogan of “1 Malaysia”, and/or it has changed the direction of the government to allow racism to grow in the country.
Teresa Kok