Opposition party DAP today launched its Internet campaign to push its agenda in the run up to the coming general election.

Stating that the party was being sidelined by the mainstream media, the party has embarked upon catching on the cyber revolution to get its message across.

"We couldn't get access to mainstream media including the television, radio and newspapers so we decided to advertise and express our viewpoints online. We want to fully utilise the Internet and this is our only avenue," said the party’s secretary general Lim Guan Eng in a press conference held at the party headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

As part of the campaign, the party would be releasing video clips on various issues, beginning with one on the current crime wave, aptly named "The lawless town".

"Do you dare to walk out at night?" was the very first question that appeared in the 54-second Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin video clip. It is accessible on popular free video website YouTube.

Lim said that apart from crime, the party would also be producing and posting other video clips on the status of economy and other issues.

He added that the party was also planning to make the video clips into DVD and to distribute freely to the people so that more Malaysians will have access to these clips.

He said that the video clips showed how Malaysians are being threatened by the rampant crime incidences and the BN's incapability in providing Malaysians a safe place.

Triple solution

Lim said the party has a workable resolution to combat crime, and urged the public to support their triple solution:

* to improve Malaysia's economy to increase income and narrow the income disparity between the haves and have-nots; secondly,

* reform and restructure the police to put 100,000 more policemen to patrol our streets, and

* establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

According to Lim, under Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership, the serious crime cases soared 119 percent and rape cases doubled from 4.6 cases per day to nine per day.

Lim also highlighted the case of Sharlinie Mohd Nasyar, a five-year-old girl who has been reported missing since early this month, as a proof of the failure of both the government and the police force to address the deteriorating public security.

He added that now Malaysians don't have a safe environment to live in.

An important GE

Lim also said that the coming general election, expected to be held before April this year, will be an important one as it could determine if the voters’ mindset have changed after “50 years of mistakes”.

However, he stressed that ‘change' does not mean a change of government.

"When we say ‘change', it doesn't mean change of government. It means the change of one party system and to reduce the political dominance of Umno."

When asked about the relationship with PKR, Lim replied that he hoped that DAP's generosity in giving some seats, including Pulau Tikus and Kebun Bunga of Penang, to the PKR, will be at least appreciated.