Veteran DAP Leader Lim Kit Siang Retires From Politics For Good After 56 Years
He reminded people and politicians that Malaysia was on the trajectory of a kleptocracy and a failed state.
By Sadho Ram — 20 Mar 2022, 12:52 PM
Earlier today, 20 March, veteran DAP politician Lim Kit Siang announced his retirement from politics that includes not contesting for any party position, parliamentary or state assembly seat in the future
He said this during the DAP national congress held at the Ideal Convention Centre in Shah Alam.
"I take this opportunity to announce my political retirement and I will not contest for any position, including the party central executive committee (CEC) today - you should delete No 39 from the CEC candidate list - or any parliamentary or state assembly seat," the 81-year-old said in his speech.
The Iskandar Puteri member of parliament (MP) had been in the CEC since 1966 when he began as a national organising secretary and went on to hold the powerful secretary-general’s post for 30 years.
Lim said that he has seen the party grow from a small opposition party into a major party that won the 14th general election (GE14) under the Pakatan Harapan coalition to form the federal government in 2018
"However, we must remain constant in our objectives and never compromise our principles and ideals. We represent the hopes and aspirations of Malaysians who want the nation to stand tall in the world because of our achievements in various fields. We also have the ability to leverage on the best values and virtues of the diverse races, religions, cultures, and civilisations that meet in confluence here," he said.
According to Lim, Malaysia was on the trajectory of a kleptocracy and a failed state.
"The battle for the Malaysian Dream must go on until it is achieved, but this is in your hands," he said to a standing ovation from the party's delegates and Pakatan Harapan leaders present in the hall.
Back in 2018, Lim had declined to be appointed to the new Pakatan Harapan Cabinet, claiming that there was enough capable talent:
