I am intrigued by the following article by Azmi Anshar in NST Online and thought that I would share it with you all:
DEWAN DISPATCHES: Parliament’s great white shark
For as long as the political savvy can remember, Lim Kit Siang has been an authoritative presence in the Dewan Rakyat, an orator of sublime presentation on compelling issues of the day he wishes to hound on political rivals, or a predatory great white shark smelling blood dripping from a “wounded” Minister or MP desperately trying to cover shenanigans only the Ipoh Timur MP can sniff out.
The 67-year-old seasoned Parliamentary player of seven terms can appear to be humbled by a lucid riposte by a cool Minister or MP and smile bewitchingly (menacingly if you suddenly realise that you are the target of his sniping), or he can suddenly snarl like an attack dog, pouncing ferociously on the lapses the MP may have unwittingly exposed. Except for a brief four-year period (1999-2004) when he was “exiled” out of Parliament after losing in the 1999 general election in Tanjung, Kit, as he is fondly called by colleagues and friends, has been a paradoxical character who had injected impact and colour into the debates of august hall.
Kit’s parliamentary performances, many seasons as Opposition leader, but now deferring to PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had been in his vintage style – articulate and authoritative when raising and stressing points but insistent, cynical, outlandish and brazen when deflecting broadsides from Barisan backbenchers, a slew of them with many axes to grind.
If there ever was a Top 10 list of best Dewan Rakyat debates, you can be sure that Kit has a couple of greatest hits in there somewhere, such is his searing influence in the business of formulating national laws and polices in the Dewan Rakyat.
Today was Kit’s turn to hold the floor in the debate on the royal address and he took a good two hours to deliver his package though a bulk of it meandered on endless interjections, clarifications, demands for rebuttals and, in the spirit of the Dewan Rakyat, a good old-fashion shouting match, all of it with BN backbenchers. Kit, who has the skill to rile up a Member of Parliament for no other reason than to rile up the person, would not have it any other way. All in all, another Lim Kit Siang vintage performance.
It was expected: the moment he stood up to begin his debate, Kit accelerated from zero to 120 in a matter of seconds, thundering on the authorities’ motive of charging blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin under the Sedition Act in connection with a recent posting on Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case when the resolute blogger should have been cited for contempt of court.
Kit’s penchant for hyperbole is also striking. Consider his overstatements on these allegations:
–> “Is this the beginning of a crackdown and the latest example of The Empire Strikes Back?” his description of the BN’s retaliation for losing five states in the March 8 polls.
–> “The BN government should be praised for “licensing” the DAP’s demand for reforms over the years. We won’t insist on copyright infringement.”
–> “The Government, for all its promise of transparency and accountability, allowed the bailout of Port Klang Free Zone development cost to bloat from RM2.5 billion to RM4.6 billion. This is the biggest scandal of them all, bigger than the BMF scandal. Is this going to be a bottomless pit?”
It did not matter that Kit’s allegations triggered derisive howls of protests, first from Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu), who Kit insinuated had profited from the PKFZ bailout. In interjecting and demanding passage to explain his involvement, Tiong accused Kit of being “unable to calculate” and offered to teach the Ipoh Timur MP on “how to count.” For a good 15 seconds, the slanging between Tiong and Kit degenerated into a shouting match and eventually, Tiong challenged Kit to repeat his allegations outside the privileged cocoon of the House, which a smiling Kit gleefully accepted. (NOTE: Kit had raised the issue during a Budget 2008 debate on Sept 10, 2007. Kit’s speech was reproduced in his blog)
Another aspect of Kit’s oratorical repertoire which he shows considerable skill is the baiting of an unsuspecting MP, which happened during a slanging match with Khairy Jamaludin (BN-Rembau). While Kit was droning on the statistics relating to the PKFZ, Khairy sought to ask a question: would all the Pakatan Rakyat state governments follow the Penang Government’s move to call for open tenders to establish uniformity?
Licking his lips, Kit thanked Khairy for what he felt was support for the Penang Government’s move and then proceeded to confer Khairy with this sobriquet: “the richest unemployed man in the world”, even after managing to dispose shares he owned at a loss. An indignant Khairy quickly jumped, citing Point of Order 36 (9), which prohibits an MP from questioning the behaviour and character of another MP, to which the House Speaker agreed.
However, Kit sensed a strategic rubbing-in: “Is this a sangkaan jahat (bad impression)? These are public facts,” he intoned, repeatedly saying his newfound sobriquet for Khairy, to which the younger man protested that Kit’s remarks deviated from the original issue. Both men ignored the Speaker’s plea for order as Kit repeated his sobriquet while Khairy maintained his protest.
Kit had a similar showdown many years ago with Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who – while answering a question related to his Works Ministry – was floored by Kit’s 180-degree attack, of all things, on the suit Samy wore. Kit berated incessantly that Samy’s professed passion for austerity and the poor did not match the very expensive suits he wore, in this case an Ermenegildo Zegna. While Samy steadfastly explained that his suit had nothing to do with the matter at hand, Kit’s response bordered on the infantile. “Zenga…Zenga…Zenga” was all Kit rattled, not caring that he pronounced the suit maker’s name wrongly but for pure tackiness, it was another Lim Kit Siang vintage bait-and-switch.
In yet another slanging match with Khairy, Kit allowed Khairy a question that Karpal Singh’s criticism of the Perak Mentri Besar and the state’s royal house in the transfer of a top religious officer as unconstitutional. Kit’s reply to a question with a question was classic: “Didn’t what Umno do to the Terengganu Sultan on the Mentri Besar’s appointment also unconstitutional?” This time, the exchange became a full-blown shouting match, joined by Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) and Ngah Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping). Tajuddin accused Kit of manipulation and abuse of privileges but Ngah went off-tangent by claiming that Tajuddin assaulted him inside the Perak State Assembly.
What was Kit doing while all of this was roiling around him? He sat down and merely enjoyed the confusion while waiting for it to simmer down before he was directed by the Speaker to wind-up his debate.
“You have spoken for almost 120 minutes,” the Speaker reminded Kit.
“Yes, 80 per cent of it wasted on these interruptions,” he deadpanned. The Great White shark would be fully satisfied at the prey he chomped today.
Maybe so,,,,,,,,,,,but a seasoned politician that for sure.
The undeniable fact is, there is no MPs from UMNO, MCA or MIC, even the sleepy PM and his deputy who can pit their intellect against Kit.
This man can swallow the whole lot of them with his wit and wisdom.
Hahaha, a very interesting depiction indeed. Inappropriate but yet interesting.
hehe uncle kit… you’ve earned another ‘star’ on your shoulder it seems. khairy is going to prove his stripes with you, pls be careful as he may also bait you into some place you dont want to be. he is a very intelligent chap.
but in all honesty, i guess theres no good comeback with ‘the richest unemployed in the world’ line. i would’ve been stumped for words also.
LOL! Well done, Kit Siang!
Nice read and very complimentary about LKS’s mastery. As long as LKS doesn’t get into the loaning business, I guess ‘shark’ here means big chomp, chomp in parliament. Great, yes. White, definitely not. BIG CHOMP, CHOMP out of BN’s MPs, a RESOUNDING YES! Just keep chomping!
YB Lim, great white shark!!! Ha ha ha. Good piece YB. Invite the writer for a teh tarik some where.
(White shark is golfer Greg Norman of Australia – so probably you are the Asian White Shark).
even the great Dr Mahathir Mohamad never dared to have a single debate with Lim Kit Siang. No Prime Minister of Malaysia has dared debate with Lim Kit Siang !!!
They only debate in state controlled media, where their opponent has no chance to defend himself.
Wonder what the writer has named these cowards
Well done. They (BN) will be always jumping on you coz you always bring up important, hidden and forgotten issue which are very much attached to each of these Super Powerful BN MP’s. But this is what the Rakyat is hoping to see the truth and to be investigated. I am hoping the rest of the opposition members will raise and continue on with important issue for their debate seesion. I know you still have alot to say but our 1st class parliment only allows you to 120mins. Maybe you have to share your say with other opposition MP to deliver them in their debate session.
Anyhow, keep up the good work.
A great white is a small-brain, highly equiped/suited predator. Sdr. Lim (Should be Tan Sri Lim if we were a civilized country) is neither well equiped and everyone agree have brains better than almost anyone on the govt bench.
No a great white Sdr. Lim is not and I don’t think he is so mechanistic that he has no compassion for his prey either like a great white. Sdr. Lim has often be the most positive critic of the govt. BN is lucky to have him on the other side.
I don’t know what animal Sdr. Lim is, he is no innocent fish swimming in a pool of shark for sure. But a pea-brain great white he is not. He is great and he attacks like a shark but that is all one can say of the comparison…
Even One white shark is not enough to rip off the dirty float. Malysian need many more white sharks. But, we think you’re the graet afterall.
It’s good that Uncle Lim keeps alive issues that have been adroitly swept under the carpet.
Remember, most Malaysians have a very short memory span; so it’s a service to the electorate!
No wonder, the BN MPs get riled by it.
Hahaha … Great White Shark, what a compliment indeed! You won’t know it when this predator snap off your limps until you see your blood flowing. :D
Let’s put it this way – secretly but they won’t admit it, they have enomous respect for you YB Kit! Hats off to you Sir!
Uncle Kit is someone the BN MPs would like to lynch on if given half a chance but Uncle Kit himself is an armour. KJ is what the Chinese term as calf don’t recognise tiger, Uncle Kit will tear his head off, chew his body and spit out the bone without KJ realised what has hit him.
So don’t play play with Uncle Kit, his fart itself, is a weapon of mass destruction.
That KeraJahat, the obtrusive belligerent idiot, how he ever got to oxford, is a wonder. It’s obvious, he knows he need to get near the Great White Shark for some attention and publicity, he’s that desperate!
The Great White Shark is the most efficient living entitiy that evolution has designed in carrying out the natural duty of it’s specie.
If not hungry, the Great White Shark is also a gentle giant. (like every other specie there are very rare exceptions).
see;
Great White Shark- The Gentle Puppy
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=QaFwk4c7ewA
Along the above line of thought, the writer is acknowledging complementing LKS in carrying his duty very efficiently with sharp wits and getting the point across, albeit with right on track verbal aggressiveness. Credits have to be given where it is due.
Keep up the good work and crack BN’s thick skulls with your wits.
In contrast, the BN abuse their political might (inherited via numbers) with veiled threats of violence to the minorities.
yea! go and catch it (your prey in parliament).
Thank you and kudos for hitting this KeraJantan kau-kau.
I was wandering y this KeraJantan as a first MP wants to berlagak-lagak untuk menunjukkan diri.Isn’t he a first time MP? can he takes cue from Tony, Jeff, Nurul, Gwo Burne to experience the learning curve first?
The more he talks, the more he looks like a tin kosong and a inferior made in Malaysia.
Can anyone please confirm that he is indeed an oxford grad bocoz nothing from him, in and out can be associated to the great Oxford University. Is it some short term student exchange programme that he claims to be a full oxford graduate?
KJ, u will never become a PM nor a minister, BALIK KAMPUNG AND TANAM JAGUNG.
I think KJ was better of not being a MP..correct,correct, correct! Lets hope that Karpal can join the fray and no be in jail for Sedition! Keep up the good job Uncle Kit!
All this while the BN team has been ripping most Malaysians, its about a a Great White is here to tear all these BN MORONS apart, Uncle Kit, take it as a compliment., you are doing an extremely fine job.
Today, the unsung resource personnel at the dungeons, down below parliament have had an entertaining masterful dialectics ;-).
This man asks TOUGH questions which the speakers piped-line down to us to study, cull information, statistics, background, etc (ever mindful of OSA, GO, Sulit…) — and he will receive the answers will nigh two days or the next seating of parliament.
We “fear” and enjoy his sparring.
Ecce Homo!!
YB Karpal’s nickname is great because it sounded great. The Tiger of Jelutong.
YB Lim – The great white shark of Ipoh Timur? Doesnt sound right. :)
I prefer “The Incorruptible from Ipoh Timur”
What about “Terminator from Ipoh Timur”? Sole mission: Exterminate all corrupted elements
I think KJ was very stupid to tell on LKS when he commented that going to heaven or hell is GOD’s prerogative in his parliament speech of ” the empire strikes back”
Obviously he is an ox who cannot understand the underlying insinuation of LKS and and not a question of divine’s choice. They are just lack of rational thinking and given the slightest opportunity they try to play with religion.
I enjoy reading LKS debate in the parliment. He is forceful, daring and has all facts to cow you down. No BN MPs can challenge him in debating. The name ” the great white shark” given to LKS is appropriate and it matches his ferocious power.
My salutations to you, Kit.
Keep those BN and especially UMNO politikus in check – this is what a parliament is for, provide check and balance for each other.
A Big Salute to KIT!
If these people name you “Big White Shark” probably they are “Big Crocodiles”. Hehehe..:0
But sad to say that TV1 and the others media doesn’t reveal the truth about Opposition parties instead of hiding them. What we observe in the Parliament debates and the cutting off screen from the TV, they doesn’t allow the chance for our Opposition leaders to voice out for more diggings and truth for them to answer to their shits instead of creating a upclass image for them to condemning back our opposition leaders for being rude.
Hopefully rakyat will be able to judge the right and wrongs about them.
To fellow TV medias, please don’t mislead anymore in your information delivery to the public anymore lar. We knows actually what is happening when you screen off the debates.
Paper can’t cover Fire!
Kit, the Great White! Not bad eh? Another person with this title is the great Golfer: Greg Norman if I am not mistaken.
And Kahsiry has got a good title from Kit: The Richest unemployed!! Another first for malaysian parliament.
Yes, the richest unemployed has a lot to kearn from Kit and I agree with Mr Smith, all the BN MPs have no match for Lim Kit Siang Alone.
Just look at RPK, the whole government machinery has to be used to pin him down. No wonder our leaders are branded ‘bo liao’.
Kit, the great white shark is well described. As PM a few years ago promised to catch 18 sharks, none was caught except some small fishes.
So I hope Kit would take over the role and accomplice the unfulfilledd mission of PM. Hope by next election, all 18 sharks shall be swallowed up.
Uncle kit aka Great White Shark
Of course it goes without saying your oratorial skills are legendary and few from BN can stand up to you.
However,I had note that hubris had gotten to your head. I hope you get a hold of self and focus on being the same ol Uncle Kit we knew and not drunk on power with your new found political strength.
We will be watching you…
It is good to be Great White Shark! It showed that BN is scared of you now and pay respect! Eat them all!
Uncle Lim, indeed a great white shark you are where intellect is concerned. We pray that you’ll continue to have good hunting. Sniff them out and rip them apart! FYI, a lot of us in Sabah are baying for the blood of BN. Vengeance and justice have been long overdue. We are excited at the prospect of a new political landscape where race and religion do not play any part in politics. This is about Malaysians for Malaysians. Malaysians’ Malaysia!
Uncle Lim, You’re a great citizen to Malaysia for having sacrifice so much for Malaysia even your son LGE had to go through both the ISA and Jail. Although you’re a great white shark which can easily hunt down the UMNO, MCA and MIC leader with your intellect but I do want to remind you please take care during given speech to newsmen or debate in parlimen as now I can see this BN loser is going all out to put all the PAKATAN RAKYAT MP to jail this time not ISA but with SEDITION ACT. Malaysia Democracy is dying
Then, let there be more great white sharks. Today, the television reported that a group of people came to the Parliament and there was a shouting match between them and the two politicians who wanted Mr. Karpal Singh to stand up. They too, are the great white sharks. Good to know that Raja Petra is out of jail.
Kit is not just brilliant; Kit probably is one of the most hard working persons in Malaysia.
Do you know how many articles/journals Kit is reading in a day?
Do you know how many articles Kit is writing daily?
Go ask sleeping PM how many books he had read last year?
Go ask all the BN MPs whether do they read at all?
Hi Unc Kit, i circulated this article to 100+ friends in the East so that they can read a rare article from UMNO controlled media. Keep it up and your sharp fangs will never be dented. (after all, sharks has new set of fangs a life time) ;-P
Very good nicknames you and coleagues have:
Karpal – Lion of Jelutong
LKS – Great White . With such power of lion and sea, DAP have are King of land and sea! Yes. Go for it.
But BN nicknames:
Sleepy PM – zzzzzz>
Bocor- aiya no need to tell who la
Richest unemployed – guiness book of record should take note!
Judging by their nicknames it is no surprise that BN are made up of third class materials!!! Ha!Ha!
KJ should just balik rembau and jaga kerbau.
Unfortunately i (unlike everyone else here) don’t think this is such a good thing.
I know many chinese colleagues who dislike DAP especially because DAP politicians are viewed as people who are only capable of making personal attacks and have nothing constructive to offer.
I would advise caution as you are no longer just opposition anymore. You are now responsible for 5 states.
With Uncle Kit and eventually Anwar in Parliment, both on the same side as opposition, the BN MPs will be grinded to dust.
You have been our voice in parliament for years … keep up the good work and do give those green horns from the BN a taste of your wit once in a while
certainly it is a beautiful piece and I was so surprised to see such a salutation from NST. I don’t remember reading something to this effect in NST and I find this is good progress for NST to regain its’ credibility.
In fact after viewing your action via youtube, I concluded Azmi Anshar should be commended for a good work done. Hope NST could continue this new approach.
Too much credit for you LKS if i would say.
The article as a who though with some insinuations will heightened your formability at the August House. I have seen your stylish, 007’s flair, Kit and I must say I am impressed.
Your stamina is still good for your age. Some lawyer would already hang up their gloves at your age. Good work.
In perspective, all the BN MPs are fat & juicy sea lions…mmmm. The sea lions & BN MPs share so many things in common.
Anyhow, don’t get carried away. We should emulate those Westminster MPs. The BN MPs are trying to do that & will use this to “show” they are the better MPs in Parliament.
If it is worth mentioning, I read in Harian Metro 8th May reporting that RPK did not have the money to post bail, which in fact, he refused to post bail.
Great white shark you are, Uncle Kit, but I am sure it’s named with affection :D
Uncle Kit Bravo! Coming from some useless MSM writer, you should feel proud at what was written. Bravo!
To protect the best interest of the country from decades of bad leadership and governance of the country, gross excesses and abuses, corruption and etc……the ordinary people and hard working taxpayers need more Great White Shark to protect and ensure their future are in safe hands!!!
Mr. Lim, a lone Great White, could only do so much!
Ha22 Calling you the Great White Shark is indirectly telling us that the rest , “BN folks” are just small creatures swimming around. Reminds me of the movie Nemo.
what are we to do without you Kit. respect..respect…
Yes Uncle Kit is certainly very well endowed intellectually.
But we must not forget that he spoke of nothing but facts and the truth.
Now this is crucial. It is always easy when one speaks of facts and the truth. Whether one has the guts to do so is another matter altogether.
But if one chooses to persist with lies and hope to thrive in them then one would certainly lead a life which is full of complications and contradictions.
To these people, the way out when confronted with the complications and contradictions is quite predictable: (1) show their temper and avoid the issue; or (2) show their authority and power and avoid the issue; or (3) refuse to comment and hope to avoid the issue; or (4) any combination of foregoing.
Truth + Guts + Intellect = Uncle Kit.
Hats off. Sir.
Compilation of Quotes on RPK – Bapa Bangsa Malaysia
Over the last three days most of us have gone through a rollercoaster ride over RPK’s case and have posted comments on blogs. To honour This Towering Malaysian I have compiled some of the quotes in my blog so that these last three historic days are etched in our history.
Visit wwww.wagthedog-malaysia.blogspot.com for details.
Perakians should know that THE GREAT WHITE SHARK refers to a well-known private hospital in IPOH which charge patients like a shark devouring their pockets.(for sure providing good services)
So is the article of that MSM creating an image (or illusion) that Uncle Kit is unbeatable in Dewan Rakyat? (or just an old-stubborn-naughty-kid?)
Please don’t charge me with SLANDERING!
Dear All,
I am all for optimal utilization of resources. It is fortunate that Malaysians have effective opposition leaders in the parliament to stimulate the MPs from the ruling coaliation with the right questions in order to get the right answers. I was once told that the successful interrogation of a suspect is mostly about psychology and quick thinking. One shouldn’t interrogate anyone if he or she lose his or her nerve or have a prejudice as to the innocence of the person. Always be calm to find out the truth and most of the time the truth will only come out with the right way of questioning. To this end, we all are fortunate to have YB Lim and a few other oppossition MPs who possessed such skills.
I was also informed that there was formerly an elderly MP from Barisan, who never ask any questions before despite being a two term MP. Am certainly sure that none of us would want this type of character to represent us as MP.
Whether or not, YB Lim had been labelled correctly by the journalist, one thing corrrect about him was that he sure chomped many Barisan MPs in the past and present.
Bravo!
Salute LKS
See how Lim Kit Siang vs Samy Vellu in parliament:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_dcV9ZjmTc
““BN folks” are just small creatures swimming around”
There are not small creatures, there are those “Kerdils” Mini Keums or Dwarves who bites.
The great white shark?? Dunno about that but I do love sharks fin soup!
“sharks fin soup”
Those are artificial sharks fin made from jelly.
Dear YB LKS,
Looks like UMNO is determined to politicize Karpal’s statement for political gain. Sometime bad has to be countered with bad. I would to suggest DAP and members of Pakatan Rakyat to also lodge a police report on the disrespectful comments made by Pak Lah, former Perlis MB, Idris Jusoh the ex-MB of Terengganu and other UMNO members who protested against Agung and Perlis Raja. I’m sure compared with what Karpal commented as lawyer, their remarks were more seditious and disrespectful to the rulers. In fact the rakyat of Terengganu turn out in thousands to protest against the seditious remark by UMNO politician.
Please act fast before it goes out of hand.
Kit,
Don’t forget to pass your experience and knowledge to the younger MPs and assemblymen – they need your enlightenment.
one thing i can describe Uncle Kit, ” Cemerlang, Terbilang, Germilang”…take care of yourself Uncle Kit…we really need you…
“Perakians should know that THE GREAT WHITE SHARK refers to a well-known private hospital in IPOH which charge patients like a shark devouring their pockets.” -Ban ban
haha, very true!
Also I’m not too sure if the article has another meaning. If it did,it was, in my opinion, masterfully camouflaged n blended, suggesting some sarcasm that is hidden in subtlety between the many “commendations”. Because I think while one can definitely identify Kit’s skills as portrayed, one may also capture the other image being portrayed which is Kit’s devious manipulation and exploitation of the situation.
“Those are artificial sharks fin made from jelly.” lakilompat
Is that why there are so many sharks in the ocean with their fins missing? Japanese fishermen catch sharks, strip them off their fins and then throw them back in the sea.
A great white shark wrote in 70’s ‘time bombs in malaysia’ read it /missed it.
He is the B52 bomber still in good order.