With just one day before DAP icon Lim Guan Eng is eligible to re-enter politics, he talks to malaysiakini about his former parliamentary seat, party post, and his family including his father. It was five years ago - on Aug 25, 1999 - Lim stepped out of Kajang Prison after serving a 18-month sentence for breaching the Sedition Act and Printing Presses and Publications Act.

Malaysiakini: Any plan to wrest back the Kota Melaka parliamentary seat.

Lim: I don't think I have any such plan to regain our fortress. I think the most important thing is that we have to be honest with ourselves and to recognise what went wrong in the general election. We have identified external and internal factors. One external factor was the redelineation exercise which took us out from our strong area. Malay votes went down by 500. The exercise also took out the hardcore opposition voters. But we didn't view it as a problem because previously our majority was 9,300. We thought our majority would only be reduced at worst ... we never thought we would lose. Another external factor was the 'feel good' factor (induced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad) Badawi, but that was not sufficient for us to lose.

An internal factor was our strategic error in moving incumbents to contest new seats. This had a very significant impact. The only incumbent who stayed back was Betty (Chew, his wife and Kota Laksamana state assemblyperson) because we had reservations. I didn't strongly object even though I had a problem with this approach, but went along with the Malacca committee's decision in moving the incumbents around. Basically as far as state is concerned, that was the decision of the committee. But we shouldn't repeat that error.

We are talking about your intention to contest again.

I think my personal intention should be secondary because it is subject to the party's wishes. So I think whether I contest or not is still premature, that is up to the party to decide. But regardless of whether I contest or not, I will try to help the party to regain the seat. But the first step is to recognise what we did wrong. Another thing is we must unite our forces ... we should only go into areas where we have a reasonable chance of winning.

You are currently working in Kota Melaka, people know who Lim Guan Eng is. So, if you say you don't know what you are going to do, it doesn't matter much that you're returning to active politics.

If you want me to say how are we going to regain Kota Melaka, I won't say that now ... we have our own strategies. For me, what's most important is the party's wishes. Whoever the DAP candidate is, the most important thing is how we regain the seat. We have outlined several strategies but I can't reveal much about this. I can say that we will continue to play our role as an effective opposition party, especially against corruption and abuse of power.

So Kota Melaka is still your major concern...

For the moment, I'm aiming at Kota Melaka because my family lives here, but Kota Melaka is a very hard seat to win back. Once you lose, it's not going to be easy to win it back.

Your comment on the incumbent (Kota Melaka MP) Wong Nai Chee (from MCA).

I don't think I want to comment on that.

What about the criticism by Kerk (Kim Hock, former party secretary-general and Kota Melaka parliamentarian)?

Kerk didn't criticise me , he just criticised one or two supporters and of course this is his right. I don't think it is necessary to go through this again. He was unhappy with one or two members but (he should not have brought this up) because it did not reflect well in anyone.

But as I said, in every campaign, members are doing voluntary work, so they are outspoken and that is natural. He was merely expressing his frustration against one or two members. In fact in our post-mortem, we have never identified that as a problem. Posters are never a factor, if posters are decisive in determining our victory, DAP will never get a single seat. So I think Kerk was just expressing his frustration. His anger has never against me ... he was maybe angry that I am still associating with these one or two members, but his anger never against me....

Your campaign against (ex-Malacca chief minister) Rahim (Thamby Chik) had led to his resignation but last year, DAP agreed to settle the law suit.

It was Rahim who discontinued the suit. I never gave any apology, neither did I pay him anything in costs or damages. We only said we had made unfounded allegations . As to why the party dropped the suit, it was the party's decision, not mine. It was much easier for me take it on because it involved me personally. But in the party, we have many individuals whose views have to be taken into account. I was not there (during the decision-making process).

It is because the DAP was afraid it might have to pay a huge sum in compensation?

I cannot answer that.

But wasn't that a strange thing to do, considering that you had taken up the issue and even went to jail for that ... and your supporters also raised funds for you.

I agree that it looks strange, but that was the decision made by the leaders. We must remember that he dropped the suit against me and that I did not pay a sen. But against the party, he went all the way.

You said you will change your style - how?

I didn't said I will change my style. (The media) has been asking whether I would handle the (Rahim) issue differently now, given what happened then. I would not compromise on certain fundamental issues... in terms of how I would handle it, the substance will remain the same. If there is gross injustice, we cannot compromise on the fundamental principles, but perhaps I will be more cautious in the way I approach it. I went to jail but finally, I forced him (former Malacca Chief Minister Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik) to resign.

So your approach will be different?

I think I would have been much more cautious. But in this regard, even though I had all the facts, they still went for me. For instance, Eric Chia is suing me for the exposes - even though I have all the facts... they still can go for you. So I will be more careful, but how cautious can you be? And do you think I will be deterred? Imprisonment definitely has not deterred me, and for sure freedom will not restrain me.

I don't want to give people the impression that when I come back or inject myself into the system, then wow , there is going to be tremendous change. No, one thing I want to say is that even though I was not a MP, I lost everything, I lost my pension and in financial terms I'm completely kelam kabut (disorganised). But I still serve the public and do work in a smaller community. We don't need to be a MP to serve the people ... we can still serve and make changes but of course in reduced ways.

And one thing I've observed at the grassroots is that there is a clash of mentality. People praise the government sky-high for donating a miserable RM10,000 or RM20,00 to Chinese schools when in fact this should be a right, not a privilege. Over the past five years, of course, my contribution has been very limited because I was not a MP. But I always hold on to this notion - to think globally and act locally. Democracy is a very abstract notion. I've told the people they should not just step up for their rights, they should also step forward for it.

So how are you going to 'step forward' in the party?

I think the post you hold is not important. What is more important is the role you can play, and what you can contribute to achieve the party's objectives for a just, equal and fairer Malaysian society.

Like it or not, you can't run away from the fact that you have been seen as the next DAP secretary-general (SG) and you have accepted the nomination to contest for the central executive committee.

Two issues here... one, it is up to the delegate to decide and two, I am just happy to be free. I don't think I should have been deprived of my political rights because I didn't commit an offence. Everyone knew that, yet I was imprisoned. That to me was gross injustice and my civil political rights were taken away.

Even though I am happy that my liberties have been restored, I also feel a sense of unhappiness and that there has been injustice against me. I have been a house-husband for five years, I sent my children to school and they are very attached to me. Recently they asked me, 'Daddy, so after Aug 25 you are free, you are free to go anywhere, does that mean you can't have time to play badminton, play chess with me anymore?'

I have become used to that sort of family life over the past five years. So this is the tian lun zhi le (enjoyment of family life) that I am used to, it is not an easy decision to give up this type of life.

You have not made up your mind?

I mean it is an open question... not just about the SG's post but any post or any senior post in the party. I have to give some thought to this and let my family members give their input as well. So it is not an easy decision, because of the sacrifices (involved) ... more importantly, my children are growing up. You want to see them growing up, and share some part of this.

So what did you tell your children come Aug 25?

I've told them that I will still play badminton with them. My imprisonment has affected my children badly. We used the intercom (during prison visits), we could not touch one another, we could only put our hands against the glass ... those were very painful and emotional moments.

A few days ago, my daughter was interviewed by (DAP MP for Seputeh) Teresa Kok and asked for her memories of my imprisonment (for the special VCD production). It has already been five years, but she broke down and cried. She said that, once, they were very angry at the glass and that they punched it until their hands hurt, just to try and touch me. She was only eight then, but the memory has stuck in her mind all this while.

So if someone asks me to tear myself away from them, it won't be easy for me to do. It's not something I can just say 'yes' to and then go. My son had nightmares for a week after I released. He dreamt that the police had come to take his father away ... he told them not to do this. Of course, they are worried that if I go back to politics, I could be imprisoned again ... this is their major concern. So what I meant about being more be careful is more for their sake, trying to avoid going behind bars again. So any talk about reform is not just about speaking out freely. We pay (for this with) our blood, sweat and tears.

People say that, because I am (Parliamentary Opposition Leader) Lim Kit Siang's son, I get publicity. They don't understand the pain. Why didn't they say the same thing when I was detained under the ISA? Why didn't say this when I was imprisoned 18 months in Kajang and while my wife and children were suffering? Will they also say I am Kit Siang's son now that Eric Chia has sued me for defamation. Is it fair?

So how you handle such charges of nepotism?

I ask them back those questions. If you want to say that, judge me on my capability and performance. You want to criticise me, criticise me for what I have done wrong. Don't use my father's name, that is not fair to me or my father. Come on, what do I get if I ever hold a post in DAP? Will I become an instant millionaire or will I hold any power? We are not like the ruling coalition. What do we get when we are in the opposition? The only thing that is free (of charge) is the curry rice (laughs).

But people still feel strongly that this 'dynasty' thing.

Dynasty is for something where you can get favours, but if you want the dynasty of going to jail, I don't think any parent would want that.

How do you cope with the pressure that even senior party leaders have hopes that you will take over the leadership? For instance, Karpal (Singh, DAP deputy chief) has named you as a potential candidate.

Karpal named Kula (acting secretary-general M Kulasegaran) as well.

But Kula was mentioned in passing...

(Laughs) Give me a break (laughs again).

So how do you cope with this kind of pressure?

I think this thing has to be sorted out. Another thing is actually the financial question - it is also very important. Basically I am very unstable (financially), so give me some time. I think all these questions can be sorted out. There are also many capable leaders in the party, I am not the only one.

Like who?

Kula is a capable leader.

But he does not appear really keen on the SG's post.

Nobody is keen because the post won't make you richer. Any DAP leader who is approached for this position has a sense of great caution because there are responsibilities involved.

Will this be the likely scenario: You don't assume a top party post this term but not rule out the possibility of doing so in the next term?

I don't want to answer that. Wait until Aug 25 or Sept 4 (for the DAP annual conference). I still have some things to think over, I don't want to say something which will be different on Aug 25. Let me keep the question open now.

There is an opinion that DAP is burdened with organisational problems. Is it now high time for the party to be led by new leaders? Or for Kit Siang to step down and pave the way for new blood?

I don't think that sentiment is shared by party leaders. We understand there is only one Lim Kit Siang - his effectiveness, credibility and sacrifices are all beyond question. In terms of success or failure, sometimes a person is accountable for that. But when we talk about politics, it is not an individual sport. If you have the best striker in the world, but have a lousy team, you can never work it out. DAP is not just Lim Kit Siang or Karpal Singh ... we have (Tan) Kok Wai, Chong Eng, (Fong) Po Kuan, (Dr Tan) Seng Giaw....

Do you see any problems or changes in the party leadership in recent decades?

We have new faces like Anthony Loke. But talking about reform, it is a gradual process.

So you don't think it is time for Kit Siang to go yet?

I can't comment on that because of the kinship. I don't think it is accurate for me to answer because whatever I say will be seen as (a matter of) kinship and not (according to) reason. But if you look at it by reason, whether Lim Kit Siang is still needed or not, that answer is very clear. Lim Kit Siang is still needed.

Having taken a back seat in the party, what do you think you have benefitted from most over the past five years?

Previously, I was resolving problems as a MP, now I am an ordinary member, I still can have my input and solve the problem although on a much reduced scale. So taking a back seat gives me learning experience and gives other Malaysians the example that you don't need to be a MP to contribute to making a difference in your society. You must try to make every possible difference in society. Whether we are MPs or not, it is not important to still make changes and I have proven that. Another thing is I have crossed the gender gap - I am the first male imprisoned for speaking up for women's rights.