AFTER nearly 56 years of public service, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang announces his retirement from politics.
“I take this opportunity to announce my political retirement and I will not contest for any position, including the party central executive committee (CEC).
“Please delete No 39 from the CEC candidate list- or any parliamentary or state assembly seat,” he said, in a farewell speech at the party’s national congress.
Touching on his political journey, Kit Siang said that he was proud to witness DAP growing from a small political party to become a national force that it is now, winning the 14th General Election and being part of seven state governments.
He added that the recent Johor state election was a reminder that the people should continue with the Malaysian Dream aspirations so as to make the Malaysia a great nation.
“We may face ups and downs, gains and losses in our political struggle but we must remain steadfast in our objectives and never compromise on our ideals and principles.
“DAP members must realise that we represent the hopes and aspirations of Malaysians who want our country to stand tall among other nations.
“Hence, we must leverage on our strengths, which is diversity. Malaysia is a confluence of many cultures and civilisation,” the Iskandar Puteri MP stressed.
As such, Kit Siang urged party members to reignite hope and confidence among the electorate that DAP would be able to reverse the national decline of the past half a century.
“Never before in the history of DAP that we must have unity, solidarity, commitment and resolve in our long-term commitment to realise the Malaysian Dream.
“And I’m privileged to share this journey to realise our Malaysian Dream to be a world-class great nation with many patriotic Malaysians, both inside and outside the DAP,” he quipped.
On related matter, outgoing DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng paid a tribute to his father for his dedication and unwavering stand on making multi-racial Malaysia a great country.
Respected by allies and foes alike
Reminiscing the past, the former finance minister said that when DAP was established in 1966, 11 men stood up to make Malaysia a free and democratic country based on multi-racial values.
“Dr Chen Man Hin our first national chairman, was probably the oldest in his forties. In 1967, a 26-year-old young man called Lim Kit Siang was co-opted into the CEC.
“Little did they know then that Kit Siang would become a giant amongst Malaysian politicians for his brilliance, courage, indomitable spirit and loyalty to ideals and principles,” Guan Eng stated.
For many decades, Guan Eng said that Kit Siang was respected by previous prime ministers and ministers for his courage and determination, which was probably why the latter was constantly demonised and falsely accused of being responsible for the May 13 racial riots.
“The truth is, our family is jealous of the DAP because the party took away much of his time from us. Nevertheless, we respected his lifetime of struggle to make Malaysians’ lives better.
“On behalf of DAP and the DAP family, let us thank you deep from the bottom of our hearts,” Guan Eng remarked. – March 20, 2022
Main photo credit: The Rocket
