Ernest appeal to Penangites to fully support 2000 Merdeka Walk to help raise funds for DAP for its party renewal programme

The Penang DAP is organizing the 2000 Merdeka Walk on 31 August 2000 to raise funds to enable the party to carry out its renewal programme in the Penang.

The renewal programme is important to the DAP and its successful implementation would increase the fighting capabilities of the party machinery and membership to face the next general election and the political mission of the new millennium.

The Penang DAP is in drastic need of funds now. At the moment, the party survives on contributions from its Members of Parliament, State Assemblyman, State and branch leaders and supporters.

The DAP has been able to function as an effective opposition party over the past 34 years because of the kind support of the people. They not only gave their votes to the DAP but also monetary assistance, without which the party would have closed shop or remained another mosquito party in Malaysian political history.

The people supported the DAP because they believed that the party could effectively championed their cause and aspirations as citizens of this country.

It was because of such selfless support from Malaysians that the DAP was able to survive the tremendous onslaught of the Barisan Nasional's financial resources, media advantages and unlimited manpower and their organisational might.

The loss of the party in the last two general elections has left the party in the brink of financial crisis. We have little funds left to carry on our political works in Penang.

The State and branch leadership of Penang are determined that the party must continue to represent the people of Penang against the powerful Barisan Nasional State Government.

The people are unhappy that despite two landslide electoral victories in Penang, the Barisan Nasional State Government are unable to bring about a better quality of life to the people and greater development to the State.

The welfare of Penangites is not well attended to. The woes they faced such as the socio-economic dislocation after the repeal of the Rent Control Act, abandoned housing projects, degenerating environmental problems like traffic congestions, floods, landslides and pollution and increasing cost of living has greatly burdened the man on the streets.

The power struggle between the Gerakan and MCA has left them with little time to heed and carry out their election promises to bring about a better Penang.

The people of Penang have lamented at the weakened state of the opposition parties and have even expressed regret in giving their support to the Barisan Nasional.

We need funds to carry out our programme to enable us to function effectively as the voice of the people.

We appeal to the people to support the 2000 Merdeka Walk. Our target is RM200, 000.

Part of the collections will be channeled to our national headquarters.

We need funds to:

Upgrade the physical facilities of the secretariat such as Photostatting machines, computers and facsimile machines Expand our full-time staff such as research assistant, party organizer, public complaint bureau coordinator Set up an Information Technology Centre to promote computer literacy among the people Carry out community projects for the needy Carry out cadre training programme The support of the people is crucial and greatly needed to enable this project to be carried out successfully.

Kiriman : Goh tat kean