MAJLIS PELAJAR MALAYSIA
MALAYSIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STUDENTS

MEDIA STATEMENT

RE: OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS EXCLUDED CAN BE CONSTRUED AS AN
ELECTION THREAT

The instruction to halt registration of opposition members and supporters under the poverty eradication programme by Perlis Mentri Besar, Shahidan Kassim as reported by The Star today (20th August 1999) on page 8, smacks of arrogance and ignorance of the role of State Official.

The students view in his statement as a threat to opposition supporters in view of the upcoming elections, his excuse for doing so appear to  be flimsy and unworthy of a government servant. It is discrimination of the poor of the highest order.

If his statements on the matter are true, than the students will not hesitate to lodge a police report, as it is a blatant case of abuse of power.

We would like to remind the Mentri Besar that all funds of the eradication of poverty programme belong to the government and hence they belong to the citizens of Malaysia and not to any one party, be they UMNO or otherwise.

We demand a public apology and a retraction of this blatant threat in the interest of the people and the true spirit of democracy.
 

Stephen Doss
MNCS
20th August 1999