by George Lee
The Malaysian Insider
APRIL 24 – Recently there was a snapshot posted on Facebook of DAP senior leader Lim Kit Siang taking a late flight out to Johor Bahru. Cutting a lone figure and waiting for his flight like any ordinary folk, one must be wondering whether Uncle Kit should have taken on lighter things in life since his children especially the dynamic Lim Guan Eng is continuing his legacy in politics.
Undoubtedly a well known fatherly figure with Malaysians from all walks of life. I do not know Uncle Kit personally but I did have glimpses of him in close proximity on a number of occasions.
Often, the places that we ‘met’ were the five foot way coffee shop or restaurant. Beside his distinctive (comb from front to back) hairstyle and short-sleeve shirt, Uncle Kit is a well-read person.
Before the Internet age, he was always seen clutching stack of newspapers where ever he went, stealing precious time he had to read. Nowadays he and his tablet computer seem inseparable.
It is especially admirable to see such elderly statesman, outsmarting the younger generation, outwitting many challenges and levying the social networking plus media to expand his work and political beliefs. (Though, I do understand he has a team of IT savvy individuals helping him). Uncle Kit’s ingenious nature and never stop learning attitude has certainly compel many politicians to backpedal.
Many Malaysians wish that we could love our work in the same manner how Uncle Kit loves his. However, Uncle Kit’s aspirations in his lifetime work are hard act to follow, to an extent unmatched by others. Life as an opposition politician is not gleaming, especially in a racial polarizes society like Malaysia.
As one of the leaders from minority race, Uncle Kit speeches and actions come under immense scrutiny from others. Recent fiasco where RoS did not recognize the DAP’s central executive committee which paralyzed the party in issuing any authorization letter and nearly forced it to abandon the rocket symbol had caused Uncle’s Kit to shed tears openly.
RoS and many critics commented that DAP had misquoted, misinterpreted and overly sensitive towards RoS’s letter but ordinary Malaysians knew that the vigilance stand taken by DAP was proper given the unscrupulous behaviour of the authority in power.
Uncle Kit, to ordinary Malaysians, your tears are not in vain for you have demonstrated to us your affection for DAP, your constant fight against unjust administration and your brawny desire to see a new Malaysia.
Over the last few weeks, we have seen your detractors among them the head of MCA (‘Malaysia Comedian Association’) giving garbage remark that you ran away from your last constituency because you did not provide good service. We know all these are not accurate because your earnest deeds speak louder than any fallacious word.
Uncle Kit, for every step you take, you never walk alone. You have earned the respect of many ordinary Malaysians across race, culture and religion. We look forward to your pounding victory in Gelang Patah, beating the living daylights out of the corrupted administration.