In the end, it’s about the work; not the award you get for the work.
– Linda Forentino, actress
A day before Lim Kit Siang was scheduled to receive the ‘Tan Sri’ award from the king, the media already went overdrive with their report of Lim attending a rehearsal for the investiture ceremony at Istana Negara the following day.
Why is the event on Monday, June 5, of so much significance? What’s the big deal? The king, sultans and governors have been giving out awards and titles every year on their official birthdays.
All in, there would be at least three to five thousand recipients of state and federal honours each year. So, why is the retired DAP veteran receiving an award such an important event for so many.
It’s the man – Lim Kit Siang. He is a larger-than-life figure, a towering Malaysian, a statesman and true patriot of the nation, a political leader with no equal, at least within the Chinese community and most importantly, an inspiration to so many, young and old, who had crossed path with him.
A friend wrote in tribute to Lim, stating that even before there was Pakatan Harapan, there was Mr Harapan in Lim himself.
The DAP veteran was also a leader who encouraged and inspired hope for Malaysians, particularly during difficult times when the politics of the nation seemed so meaningless and hopeless.
Lim is perhaps the country’s most well-known Mr Opposition and he has been with the DAP since it was founded in 1966.
Lim has since retired from politics and there is no one who has not mentioned that Lim is a most deserving recipient of the ‘Tan Sri’ title. Every single comment from readers in the various media organisations all agreed on that “well-deserved” compliment.
Indeed, the award is a fitting recognition to Lim’s decades of contribution to the country’s democratic system. It was also a sign of respect and appreciation for Lim’s effective and responsible role as His Majesty’s Opposition Leader for 29 long years.
I don’t think I can write anything else about this veteran politician that has not already been written about. Lim’s life of simplicity and humility and long political career is an open book.
There have been numerous books about the DAP veteran and Lim himself had also authored several books. On record, he was also a journalist before his foray into politics.
Lim’s political career spanned more than half a century, 57 years to be exact. The award is definitely timely and well-deserved for a man who has dedicated his life to democracy and good governance.
I first met Lim in Sibu in 1979, the year I joined the Sarawak Tribune as its Sibu-based correspondent. That year, DAP contested in the Sarawak state election for the first time. The party had established its Sarawak chapter a year earlier in 1978.
I recall it was at a press conference held at the Premier Hotel, Sibu’s top hotel in those days, in the imposing Sarawak House Complex.
After the first meeting with Lim, I remember asking Chong Siew Chiang, the then Sarawak DAP chairman, to arrange a private interview with Lim for me.
Chong obliged and I managed to meet Lim at his hotel room the next day where I had a private conversation with the then DAP secretary-general.
I still have a photo of that day in the room with Lim and his inner circle comprising of Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chan Teck Chan and Chong. It was a precious and memorable shot to be treasured.
Sarawak DAP lost all the seats it contested in the 1979 polls but it was a baptism of fire for some of the new, young DAP faces.
Sim Kwang Yang contested in Padungan, Ling Sie Ming in Maling and Chong in Repok that year. All were defeated. The story was, however, different in the 1982 parliamentary election for the DAP.
Sim won Bandar Kuching, Ling won Bandar Sibu. Ling created the biggest upset in the election as he defeated SUPP strongman and state minister Datuk Dr Wong Soon Kai.
Unfortunately, Chong lost in Sarikei by a wafer-thin 81 votes to SUPP newcomer Law Hieng Ding. Otherwise, DAP would have won three seats in the party’s first outing in a general election in Sarawak.
Lim led the party’s charge in Sarawak in the early years well. He was a known orator, fluent in three languages and Sarawakians, particularly the Chinese, quickly warmed up to him.
In later years, I also met Lim several times in Kuala Lumpur. I recall two occasions where I also had an opportunity to have a chat with him.
One was a reception hosted by former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and the other was a chance meeting at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur, the pharmacy at the Dermatology Clinic to be precise.
Perhaps, one fine day I will call on Tan Sri Lim @ Kit (as he wishes to be called by that nick) for a chat again. It has been a while.
Nay, a ‘Tan Sri’ title will not change the man. That we can be assured of. The humble DAP man will always be Mr Lim, Kit Siang or ‘Kit’ to all and sundry.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
