Tribute to DAP Parliamentary Leader, YB Lim Kit Siang, on The Occasion Of His 70th Birthday on 20.2.2011 by DAP National Organising Secretary and Selangor Senior Exco, Teresa Kok:-
Someone from Barisan Nasional once described Kit Siang as a tragic hero, fighting for a lost cause. He was jailed twice under ISA and his own son Lim Guan Eng was also jailed twice and yet he continued to soldier on for the party’s cause for decades without seeing his efforts rewarded. He carried the cross of DAP’s struggle through the good and bad years persistently.
I respect his humility and sense of responsibility.
After the heavy electoral defeat suffered by DAP in Penang and throughout Malaysia in 1995, he offered to resign from his post as secretary-general. The party Central Executive Committee (CEC) however rejected it, saying that it was the collective responsibility of all CEC members.
In 1996, the Party was hit by various defections. At the same time Guan Eng was embroiled in a court case to defend himself against sedition charges in relation to a rape victim in Melaka.
Yet during this trying period Kit Siang continued to speak up in ceramahs and forums throughout the country to highlight to the people on the cause of the economic crisis that was affecting Malaysia. He channelled his energies into constructive work for the party. He also immersed himself in learning new skills such as the internet and information technology. He charted a new course of direction for the party.
In 1999, DAP was faced with a situation where we had to work with PAS to form a viable alternative to BN. Kit Siang went around the country consulting grassroot leaders for their views on this cooperation in order to carry the whole party along in such political initiative.
Then there was this Support, Sympathy and Solidarity (SSS) campaign for Guan Eng which, as Party Secretary-General, Kit Siang went around the country to create awareness on Guan Eng’s unjust imprisonment. He was criticised for being too personally involved in the campaign, invited accusations of him trying to use the party to save his son. However, the campaign helped the party to gain mass public support and recognition. Not many were aware or even thought of the fact that it was hurtful for a father to see his son suffer and yet being accused of having personnal agenda in highlighting the injustices practice by the powe that be. The pain and humiliation endured by Kit Siang was just indescribable.
He has withstood the test of time. He has gone through many ups and downs in his political career, being backstabbed and betrayed by his closest comrades. Yet today he is still standing tall in politics. He has emerged from being a mere politician to be a statesman, respected by both side of the political divide.
From working under him and observing him, I learnt to be persistent, patient, having endurance and being caring.
Kit Siang is a caring person. When (former DAP sec-gen) Kerk Kim Hock was undergoing surgery, Kit Siang waited with Kerk’s wife for four hours outside the operation theatre. He has a very humane side, which is not often known to outsiders.
His contribution to DAP is immense. Many in the past has quipped that DAP is Lim Kit Siang, Lim Kit Siang is DAP. On the outside it may seem an unfair portrayal of the other party members’ contribution. However, one must recalled how Kit Siang stood with and laboured to reform the party tirelessly through the many difficult times in the preceding decades.
Kit Siang has worked hard to promote young and capable leaders in the party. He has also worked patiently to resolve the party’s internal conflicts and factional disputes, building up the party along the way.
On the back of his sacrifice and hard labour, DAP now governs two states together with our Pakatan Rakyat allies, with Guan Eng becoming the Chief Minister of Penang and myself assuming the senior executive councillor post in Selangor. We would not be where we are without him.
I WISH TO SHAKE HIM BY the hand and tell him he is equivalent to the likes of Corazon Aquino, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela. Malaysia will evolve into a tall standing state like low corrpution listed Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Denmark because of him! HE is like my father, the more i read of him and comparing him to the goons in UMNO and BN, the more i’m encouraged to soldier on with my vote for the DAP and Pakatan!!
i have great respect for him
and happy birthday to mr. lim
So true YB. Selamat hari jadi to Uncle Lim from all Malaysians!
LKS is a one-man-machine against a corrupt regime spawned by Umno.
He could have chosen any other political role apart from being Mr Opposition, and he could very be equally successful. But he choie to be the peoples’ conscience singularly. And at a great personal cost.
LKS is the truly unsung hero of Bangsa Malaysia. LKS is a statesman.
A very Happy 70th Birthday to YB Saudara Lim Kit Siang!
You undoubtedly stand tallest among all true Malaysians. You are the GREATEST!
LKS is truely a Malaysian – a man who has gone thru many baptisms of fire and he still stands tall and respected. He holds on to his political principle throughout his career – he always believes in Malaysians’ Malaysia. It is only now that many start to realise that Malaysia will become a failed state if the current racial politics is allowed to continue. LKS, I solute you and wish you a very happy birthday and many returns of the day. Sorry to say that you are not allowed to retired despite of your 70th birthday as Malaysia still needs you. God bless you.
Hidup Lim Kit Siang # Hidup D A P # Hidup PAKATAN
Happy Birthday to uncle Kit. May Uncle Kit bless with the best health. I had admire Uncle Kit since i was a young boy when i met him while having dinner at Old Klang road while Uncle Kit was having dinner with Chen Min Hing (YB Seremban) and others YB. He was a very tough and freindly when i approach and start chating with Uncle Kit.
He has built himself a reputation that many admire but are not going well by some such as Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Liew Ah Kim, Wee Chee Keong and quite a few in the Klang valley.
He had gone thru many up and down together with his close family’s member but today at 70 he is still the one of the best dependable.
Happy Birthday.
YB,
Saya tertanya mengapa DAP berbeza dengan MCA.
Faktor pemimpn sesederhana seperti Encik Lim Kiat Siang yang berjaya membebaskan dirinya dari termasuk ke dalam senarai eliet Tionghua antara alasan yang dapat dikesan kerana setahu saya Encik Lim Kiat Siang seorang yang tidak berharta.
Adakah ini benar atau salah minta dijelaskan supaya masyarakat lebih mengetahuinya dan memakluminya agar kecurigaan kepada etnik cina tidak dikekalkan menjadi sifat rakyat tanah air tatkala keturunan cina turut menjadi rakyat di negara kita.
Uncle Lim Kit Siang,
A million thank you is just not enough to express my gratitute n appreciation for all you have done all these years.
LKS is a Towering Malaysian who is appreciated & respected by all Malaysians of all races except those who are corrupt,racist and opportunists.
Kit Siang has served the country well. Happy Birthday LKS -God has blessed you and family with the appoinment of your Son Guan Eng as Chief Minister Penang.
Uncle Lim,
Glad to have the opportunity to wish you a very happy 70th birthday. Your fighting spirit for righteousness is very much ingrained in my personality, especially having briefly met you & family in the same hotel bus to Disneyland (LA) in or around 1997. Thank you for making a great difference.
LKS, we in PJ will always support you and your son Guan Eng for all your sacrifices throughout the years. The DAP to your credit has many leaders with ‘bola’ eg. Teresa, Tony Pua, Karpal etc. unlike the leaders from eg. mca or gerakan who only know how to play the bola of their umno masters to get contracts while selling out the rakyat.They may not have to answer for it in this life but they will definitely have to answer for it in their after-life.Syabas and hidup Lim Kit Siang. Hidup DAP !!!