[UPDATED] Kit Siang retires from electoral politics, DAP leadership

SHAH ALAM – After a career spanning close to six decades, half of which as opposition leader, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang today announced his retirement from electoral politics.

“I hereby withdraw from the central executive committee. I will also not stand for elections in future state or federal polls,” he said at the party's 17th national congress here today.

The 82-year-old stressed that while the battle for a “better Malaysia” is far from over, the fight is now out of his hands. 

“The recent Johor state election is a reminder that our dream for a united, democratic and great nation is a long-term political struggle, with many gains and losses along the way. 

“We must remain constant in our objectives and never compromise on our principles and ideals. The battle must go on until our dreams are achieved, but this is in your hands,” he reminded in an emotional speech that was greeted by heavy applause and cheers from delegates. 

As one of DAP’s pioneering members, Lim’s political career with the party was propelled in 1966 when he was elected as its national organising secretary, a position he served in for three years before being promoted as secretary-general in 1969.

The three-time opposition leader had served in the position for almost three decades in non-consecutive terms, making him the longest-serving office bearer in the nation. 

Lim said that throughout his 56 years of being with the party, he has seen it develop from a small opposition party to a major political party in the Pakatan Harapan coalition, managing to win the 14th general election in 2018 when it became part of a ruling government in seven states. 

“We represent the hopes and aspirations of Malaysians who want our country to be able to stand tall because of our achievements in various fields and our ability to leverage on the best values present in the diverse races, religions and cultures in Malaysia,” he said. 

Urging party members and delegates to remain firm on party teachings while standing as one harmonious unit, the DAP stalwart called on the party to act as a torch in the darkness for the people. 

“Never before in the history of DAP has it been more important for us to unite in solidarity and commit to realising our goals for Malaysia. 

“We must reignite hope and confidence in the future as we hold in our hands the ability to reverse the declining state of the nation that has been going on for the past half century.”

Lim was initiated into legislative politics when he won the race for the Bandar Melaka parliamentary seat in the general election of May 10, 1969 at the age of 28.

He went on to represent various other federal constituencies in five states, namely Kota Melaka (1974-1978; 1982-1986), Petaling (1978-1982), Tanjong (1986-1999), Ipoh Timor (2004-2013), and Gelang Patah (2013-2018) which was renamed Iskandar Puteri and successfully defended by him in 2018.

Besides that, Lim also served as a state assemblyman in Melaka and Penang. He was the state rep for Kubu in Melaka from 1974 to 1982 and later in the Penang constituencies of Kg Kolam (1986-1990) and Padang Kota (1990-1995). 

He also served much time as a political prisoner, having been detained without trial as well as convicted under controversial circumstances. 

In 1969, Lim was detained under the Internal Security Act for 18 months, and ten years later in 1979, he was convicted of five charges under the Official Secrets Act after exposing legitimate arms deals between the government and a Swiss company. 

Along with DAP’s late Karpal Singh and numerous other opposition politicians as well as academics and rights activists, he was detained during the notorious Operation Lalang sweep under then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1987. He spent 17 months under incarceration during this period. – The Vibes, March 20, 2022