SUBANG – Malays are indebted to DAP mentor Lim Kit Siang for educating the masses on their rights in the country, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said Lim’s encouragement to Malays comes even as certain Malay leaders have openly lambasted them and labelled them “indolent”.
“Some Malay leaders say the Malays are lazy, dependent on subsidies, ungrateful, and easily forget (the government’s support).
“But Kit Siang said the opposite. He did not only speak about politics and the country, but also on racial sensitivity and perception. He said things that were different from what other Malays think of.
“He previously mentioned that Malays do work hard. They are no lazy natives despite all produce going to the Japanese (during his time),” the PKR president said in his tribute speech celebratingÞ the veteran DAP politician’s retirement last night.
Acknowledging the Iskandar Puteri MP’s immense contribution to the country’s political arena, Anwar said no amount of titles such as Datuk, Tan Sri, or Tun would ever do Kit Siang’s impact justice in this country.
“And I say as a Malaysian and as a Malay: we are indebted to you, Kit Siang, for educating the masses on their rights in this country.”
Anwar also complimented Lim on his integrity and his will to remain consistent as well as to never compromise his values and principles.
“In politics, we need this – integrity, courage and tenacity. And Kit Siang, you embody this. Malaysians will remain proud of you,” he said.
After a career spanning close to six decades, half of which as opposition leader, Lim announced his retirement from electoral politics on March 20.
At the party's 17th national congress, 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 Vibes, April 2, 2022
