SUBANG – Despite bidding farewell to active politics two weeks ago, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said that it would be impossible for him to truly call it a day.
After a career spanning close to six decades, he admitted it is not a walk in the park to “totally retire” from electoral politics, as it influences every aspect of life.
In a speech at an event celebrating his retirement organised by coalition ally and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last night, Lim said he realised this after his recent visit to Kg Bakuku in Sabah.
“My recent visit to Kg Bakuku is proof that it’s not a total withdrawal or retirement,” he said, to which he received enthusiastic applause.
“I don’t think it’s possible to totally retire from politics. It influences every aspect of our lives.”
The 82-year-old recalled that politics had been a big part of his life when he started more than half a century ago.
Although his career in politics was initially driven by idealism, the former DAP adviser said he had been involved in many political roles and had learnt a great deal from them.
“We learnt that it involved how to run a party and state and parliamentary elections, as well as forming state and federal governments. I think it is a learning process as we go along.”
On March 20, Lim announced his retirement, saying while the battle for a “better Malaysia” is far from over, the fight is now out of his hands.
However, the Iskandar Puteri MP added that Malaysia has regressed in its quest to become a world-class nation.
“We don’t talk about administration or governance. Malaysia has regressed in competition, good governance, democracy ,and in terms of a nation where the best people can contribute to the country.
“We have created the first Malaysian diaspora. Over a million Malaysians, regardless of colour, race and religion, feel better about migrating. Do we want to have a second Malaysian diaspora?”
He also challenged political leaders from both sides of the divide to look for ways to rekindle and remotivate Malaysians by ensuring the coming general election fulfils the dashed hopes for reform and salvation.
“The country is still in search of political equilibrium and stability after the Sheraton Move.
“After more than half a century of Malaysian nationhood, when will all political leaders realise that what is missing to make Malaysia a world-class great nation is not ‘Malay unity’ but ‘Malaysian unity’?
“The time has come for all Malaysians to realise that we are losing out to more and more countries in creating a great nation and a workforce with technology know-how, political maturity and stability, racial harmony, control of corruption, and good governance.” – The Vibes, April 2, 2022
