Christmas message

On behalf of DAP Sarawak, I would like to wish all Malaysian a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. As the year 2008 draws to its end, we need to pause and look back to the events that happened and history that has been made and hope that mistakes are avoided and triumphs be repeated in the New Year ahead.

Malaysia has seen the better days in the first half of 2008 as the world crude oil prices hit recorded high with its peak at USD 147 per barrel and Malaysia has seen the bountiful as well in the commodities prices of rubber and palm oil. But the October financial crisis in the US that spread like wild fire to the rest of the world had hit Malaysia like a curse as oil prices tumbled and commodities prices fell to recorded levels and we finally found ourselves in hot-water financially while the inflation that was triggered by the fuels price hike in June has yet been redressed.

2009 seems to be a year of uncertainty as many Malaysian are facing many huddles ahead with the BN government not doing anything to address the concern of the people as the biggest political party, UMNO, is too busy preparing for its March party's polls. So far it has only used the EPF money to inject RM 5 billion into Valued Cap Sdn. Bhd. as its only solution to the financial crisis facing the country and we do not even know whether it causes any ripple at all in the stock market.

More important to Malaysian would be the 916 effect on the mindset of Malaysian, the 916 has created a burning desire among the majority of Malaysian to see a change of the Guard. They were so intense in their desire that they cursed when the promise by Anwar to bring about the change of federal government did not materialize. But whet they did not know that without that promise, many Malaysian would never dream about the demise of the BN and the changing of the guard at the federal government.

So with the many set backs and triumphs behind us now, lets stand united as fellow Malaysian regardless of the color of our skin, the diversity of our cultures and the different faiths that we embraced, to face the challenge in the year ahead. The spirit of Christmas should lead us ahead in making a Malaysia for all Malaysian and a country that is equally shared by all Malaysian. After all, the spirit of sharing and giving is what X'mas is all about.

Marry Ximas & Happy New Year

David Wong
DAP Sarawak publicity secretary
24-12-2008