SHAH ALAM, March 20 — DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang today announced his retirement from politics and would not be standing in the coming general election.
The Iskandar Puteri MP aged 81, said following this, he is also withdrawing from contesting in the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Lim said since joining DAP, he had seen how the party expanded from a small opposition to forming the government with Pakatan Harapan in the 14th general election.
“I saw how our party grew from a small opposition party which took part in the 1969 general election until it became a major political party which set up the federal government and took over seven state governments with our partners in Pakatan Harapan during GE14,” he said.
Lim made the statement when speaking at the 17th DAP National Congress here today.
He said the Johor state election should be an important reminder that the dream of Malaysia as a united, democratic, just and successful nation respected by the international community is a long-term political struggle
“In this process, we face many successes and failures, victories and defeats. But we must remain steadfast in our objective and to never compromise on our principles and ideals,” he added.
Earlier his son, Lim Guan Eng who is also the DAP secretary-general in his policy speech said his father was appointed into CEC at the age of 26.
“Little did they know then, that Lim Kit Siang would become a giant amongst Malaysian politicians for his brilliance, courage, indomitable spirit and loyalty to ideals and principles.
“For many decades, Prime Ministers and Ministers considered Lim Kit Siang as the only worthy opponent,” he said adding that Lim Kit Siang was the longest serving Parliamentary Opposition Leader, from 1974 to 1999.
Lim Kit Siang held the party’s secretary-general post in 1969 and was appointed as national chairman from 1999 to 2004.
Apart from Iskandar Puteri, he had served as MP for Bandar Melaka (1969 – 1974); Kota Melaka (1974 – 1978); Petaling Jaya, Selangor (1978 -1982); Kota Melaka (1982 – 1986); Tanjong, Penang (1986 – 1999); Ipoh Timur, Perak (2004-2013) and Gelang Patah, Johor (2013-2018).
He was also elected as the assemblyman for Kubu, Melaka (1974 – 1982); Kampong Kolam, Penang (1986 – 1990) and Padang Kota, Penang (1990 -1995).
