KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19: At the 84th birthday dinner organised for DAP veteran, Lim Kit Siang, here today, his son, Lim Guan Eng spoke of the former’s contributions to the country and party over the nearly six decades he has been in politics including having been the longest serving Parliament Opposition Leader.
Thanking DAP Secretary-General Loke Siew Fook and the CEC for having organised the dinner, Guan Eng, who is also Member of Parliament for Bagan, described Kit Siang as the best Oppostion Leader and attributed him as a stabilising force for DAP in government to help carry out reforms.
He said there were three pillars that shaped Kit Siang’s stand.
“One, his fundamental belief in doing the right thing and willingness to pay the price. Laoda (Kit Siang) passionately believed in a Malaysian Malaysia and justice for all. Few can empathize what he had to go through when he was repeatedly arrested, detained without trial and prosecuted in courts.”
Secondly, Kit Siang’s loyalty to the party, people and the country was marked by his refusal to be bought and his thirst for knowledge.
“We know Lim Kit Siang’s integrity stands out. Equally impressive is his capacity to learn that has inspired many of us during our difficult years in opposition and the initial years in government.”
Thirdly, his willingness to look at the big picture even at great political and personal cost to himself, Guan Eng said.
“His loyal support to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was premised on his faith that Anwar and DAP can carry out the reforms necessary to make Malaysia better.
“Lim Kit Siang was willing to be patient to give our Ministers time for reforms to take effect. We have seen it happening when Loke Siew Fook succeeded in getting higher allocations for independent Chinese schools and Gobind Singh Deo has managed to bring about the review of SOSMA. We look forward to more on the way this year.”
Kit Siang retired from active politics in March 2022 but continues to inspire DAP leadership as well as Malaysians through his writings and observations.
— WE