DAP VETERAN Lim Kit Siang will be conferred with the honorary title of Tan Sri during tomorrow’s (June 5) investiture ceremony in conjunction with the formal 64th birthday celebrations of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.This prestigious award marks a symbolic turnaround for DAP and for Lim.They were both constant opposition voices in Parliament but are now firmly established in the mainstream of national governance.Lim , together with the late Datuk Seri Karpal Singh will always be remembered as the iconic opposition leader who worked with the now-enemies PAS. He is also the longest-serving opposition leader in the Malaysian Parliament.On the other hand, Lim will become the first DAP leader to receive this second-highest federal award after Tun-ship.While this risks upsetting the PAS in particular, since the party and its leaders are in a daily tussle with Lim on social media, it will boost the image of the DAP among the public.Moreover, Lim has dedicated almost four decades to leading DAP and overseeing various challenges to his leadership.He was once the most powerful political opponent of the UMNO, a party that is now working with his party the DAP in the unity government.From working with PAS, Lim has also worked with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who became the PM after Pakatan Harapan won the elections in 2018.Meanwhile, Lim’s influence continues, despite his retirement from politics.His son, Lim Guan Eng is the current Bagan MP and DAP chairman while his daughter, Lim Hui Ying, serves as the Deputy Eucation Minister and Tanjong MP. – June 4, 2023
