Lim Kit Siang should stay on as DAP chairman. He had already done his part by taking the responsibility of the party's poor performance by resigning as secretary general. Isn't that enough? So why the hue and cry over whether he should go? He should carry out his duties vigorously as that is his democratic right to decide whether to stay or go. This is, of course, dependent on whether the party still needs him. To me, he is still needed as his vast experience is useful in guiding the party for the time being until another capable leader is found by the party. So give Lim a break. Why isn't there the same hue and cry over Mahathir Mohamad when his party had lost two states to the Opposition ?
Ashvin Raj
Lim Kit Siang should stay. We really need a political leader like him.
Ismail
For Lim Kit Siang not being voted into Parliament this year is no big deal. Our prime minister was once voted out but he returned stronger. I deeply feel that Lim should stay on so that in his capacity as chairman of his party, he can continue issuing statements on relevant. If he cannot attend Parliament, then let his ghost be there. In the next election, Lim will be returned by the voters to the rightful place where he should belong - Parliament House.
Jon
Please take a look at Lim Kit Siang's name. There is no datukship conferred to this man. Yet, this man has stood up for our rights in the most difficult and trying of times. Twice, he was arrested and detained under the draconian Internal Security Act. In those circumstances, any man of weak character would have thrown in the towel and taken the easy way out. Our datuks and Tan Sris today are a dime a dozen, but can any of us really appreciate what they have contributed to the society other than enriching themselves.
Pro-Finders
Lim Kit Siang is truly a genuine fighter for the rakyat . He would be a very rich if he had defected to Barisan Nasional but he chose to suffer as an opposition politician for the sake of the people. He is a true warrior and a strong leader with vision.
My friends, he has put in 30 years in working for us. If I was a king, I would have given him the highest honour available. I believe he still has the stamina and determination to lead us, perhaps to form the next government in 2005.
I am a typical Malay who feel that he should stay and continue to lead us into the next battle.
Encik Zahari
I don't think Lim Kit Siang is out-dated. I still admire and am proud of him. Actually, we have to say thank you to his family that have contributed so much to Malaysia. I believe there is no politician who can replace him at the moment.
KK Lim
In the cliched and "learned" phrase of a judge (definitely not St Paul) the issue is irrelevant! Under such adverse circumstances, his choice is the most judicious one open to him.
Lim Kit Siang, if I have to say the obvious, is a man of the rakyat. The problem is, his voice would be more clearly heard and understood if our political process is not cemented on ethnicity and religion.
His media statements speak for themselves. His voice will still ring, secretary-general or chairman notwithstanding.
In the light of the most recent developments in Terengganu, the voters of Bukit Bendera who decided against him will have good reason to rue the day they pushed out an articulate and fearless Parliament voice. Perhaps a fitting and poetic punishment for them would be for them to be trucked out to Terengganu so that they can feel the full brunt of what an unbridled Islamist administration can do.
Yeap Tenq Chin
For the past 30 years, the existence of Lim Kit Siang in Parliament made the political scene more exciting and real. He is the only one dare to voice out facts and reality. I just want to say: "Mr. Lim, you should stay, at least to train up the new generation. We do care about the future of our country, but we lack the experience that your have." Please stay and work hand in hand with the current generation for our future -- one that is just, fair and full of hope.
Miss Loo
KL
No matter what Barisan Nasional and critics may say, we still need Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh around to serve the interests of the rakyat. When policies were not right, they were the ones brave enough to stand up and speak for the people to the extent of the government threatening to invoke or had invoked the Internal Security Act against them. So has Lim Guan Eng, who paid a heavy price for justice. Would MCA, Gerakan and MIC representatives do such a thing? I doubt it. There had been incidences in the past where problems arose in a Malay community and instead of seeking the help of their wakil rakyat who happened to be from the BN, they felt comfortable and confident enough to seek the help of the DAP. Above all, Kit Siang and Karpal, having been in the opposition bench for this length of time, know the government in and out and can definitely help to keep it in check. Stay on. Both of you may lose this time round, but you will live to fight another day and win this time, God willing.
Billy Ong
Lim Kit Siang should go. While Malaysia is not Barisan Nasional and BN is not Umno and Umno is not Mahathir Mohamad; DAP is not Lim. Furthermore, the fight for justice, freedom
and fair play is not about and due to Lim alone (and for that matter any individual). Lim was probably the bastion of such struggle and still is and could still be. He can definitely play a
different role and still be able to contribute to the nation in a lot of ways.
Mamat
I admire Lim Kit Siang and his son, Lim Guan Eng, of their excellent and diligent work toward
realising justice in Malaysia. This sentiment has been in my heart for the last 10 years and remain to this day. I really admire Lim for his unselfish attitude in championing the rights of
"oppressed" citizens.
Though, I might be a little bit uncomfortable on his stand on issues relating to Islam, it is very much due to misinformation and a lack of understanding on the true concept/principles of Islam as a religion, or more accurately, a way of life. It is the responsibility of Muslims to correct his perception on Islam. God willing, with the close cooperation between DAP, PAS, Keadilan and PRM in BA, this perception can be changed. After all, Islam is a religion of peace and justice.
Lim, you have done a lot for the nation. I strongly believe that your service is still required by the majority of the citizens. You are still relevant in the next millennium.
M. S. Basir
It will be quite difficult to replace politicians like Lim Kit Siang, Karpal.Singh and others like them who have fought so sincerely for the rights of the Malaysian people in the recent elections. They shouldn't be made to feel that defeat is solely their responsibility.
Take Terengganu. PAS fielded their best candidates and the people of Terengganu had the wisdom to choose them for change and a better Malaysia. However, I cannot say the same for the Malaysians in the more developed west coast. They don't want change or they are slow to change. It is sad, but how much can a few good politicians achieve when the masses are still not aware of the real situation around them. Therefore Mr. Lim, we need people like you to show us how to continue fighting injustices and to expose corruption without fear.
T. J. Pereira
The departure of Lim Kit Siang is seen as good riddance by Barisan Nasional and that gives all the more reason for him not to go. This is despite the fact that Lim had been seen as arrogant,
dictatoral, etc. DAP dismal performance in the 1999 general elections should not be seen as the sole responsibility of the top leadership but a collective failure.
A casual survey would reveal that the Chinese had the fear (from Barisan Nasional's propaganda) that DAP had sold them out by working with PAS. To aggravate the situation, PAS kept harping on the Islamic state issue. This was why DAP failed to attract Chinese votes with issues such as transparency of the government, good governance and democracy. Such ideas are considered "foreign" and "abstract".
Believing that their vote for DAP might backfire, they preferred to vote for the very people who repealed the Rent Control Act, responsible for environmental disasters (water shortage, landslides,etc), Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act, toll increase, and a long list of other ills.
Muslims on the other hand, tend to fall back on religion in times of turmoil. This is the reason why, since the last election (in 1995), PAS membership has grown by leaps and bounds. PAS inroads into Terengganu and other the northern states points to this theory.
Like it or not, Keadilan is the first political party able to attract NGO members and is a truly multiethnic political party. Please, members of the BA, this is not the time to point fingers but to conduct a post-mortem of the election. Remember, Malaysia is a multi-ethnic society and strategies should be drawn according to the needs of the population.
Logic
Much as I admire and respect Lim Kit Siang, I think there is no way he could stay on after the poor election results. He took the risk by aligning DAP with PAS so he has to take the responsibility for the election failure. Nonetheless, he still has a lot to contribute and there are other ways for him to remain as an active and influential voice within the party. In a well run organisation, no man is indispensible. Give the others a chance. Who knows, they may pleasantly surprise us.
Gan
The people of Bukit Bendera will live to regret for voting Lim Kit Kiang out of Parliament. How can they do this to a true politician who has stand up to justice all these years and have even gone to jail on several occasions. It is not only DAP's loss, it is Malaysia's loss for not having Lim in Parliament to speak out on issues affecting the ordinary people.
Accordingly, I feel that Lim should stay on to rebuild the party and groom younger leaders. It is a wonder that MCA and Gerakan can take advantage of the Chinese foolishness in believing that a vote for DAP is a vote for PAS. Even if PAS win all its 62 seats, it is just not enough to amend the Federal Constitution. I thought the Chinese are good at Mathematics, but this time they cannot even add.
Wilson Lee
Mr. Lim, it was indeed hard to digest that you have lost both parliamentary and state seats in Penang. I am rather disappointed by the Chinese community who is so easily swayed and intimidated by Barisan Nasional's politics of fear and intimidation. The Chinese, or for that matter Malaysians, are a lot smarter than that!
I couldn't agree with you more that the 1999 election was the most exciting and provided the best opportunity for DAP to form a Barisan Alternatif coalition. The decision of DAP to join BN, in my view, was not wrong. DAP was simply overpowered by BN money politics and spin doctors which controlled all the local and national media.
Let me end by saying it would be a real defeat for DAP if I were to hear about your resignation or retirement. After all, former Majority leader Bob Dole did not become the Republican presidential nominee until he is 79! You have many golden years ahead of you. Keep up the good work, Mr. Lim.
Ngu
Kuching
Lim Kit Siang should stay. His contribution to the nation and DAP is invaluble, and I believe he is far from finished. He is one of the few politicians in this country that can present arguments
intelligently and isn't afraid of the repercussions of speaking the truth.
On the other hand, he and the rest of DAP should begin considering the party's future. Lim, along with Karpal Singh and Dr. Chen Man Hin, should groom a new breed of leaders that will be able to lead the party after they are gone. It seems that the party is too reliant on the leadership of the three stalwarts. They are not young anymore, and while I believe they should stay on until the next election, it is time they think of passing the torch on.
As to Mustafa Johan's comment on DAP's alleged chauvanism, I don't think it is fair that DAP is labelled as such. It is a fact that the Chinese vote swung to BN due to the fear of an Islamic Malaysia. This has as much to do with PAS' policies and the BN's exploitation of the fears of the non-Muslims. I don't think Lim was blaming PAS or Keadilan for the defeat, but rather the perception of the voters toward the BA.
In my opinion (and I could be biased because I am Chinese), DAP is the only major party in Malaysia that looks out for the rights of all Malaysians regardless of race or religion. BN parties are divided by ethnicities. PAS and Keadilan are still very much entrenched in religion and this alienates many non-Muslims, like it or not. I am an staunch supporter of the BA, and would love to have PAS run the country rather than BN, but unfortunately, not many people feel as strongly as I do.
When DAP talks about a Malaysian Malaysia, it isn't talking about taking away the special rights of the Malays, but rather also giving rights to Indians and the Orang Asli. After all, they are the most
economically impoverished group in this country, isn't it only fair our fellow Malaysians get what they deserve. The party has spoken up for the rights of Malays (Lim Guan Eng) and Indians (the South Indian Labour Fund) too.
Lim Kit Siang, I respect whatever decision you make and I want to thank you for making Malaysia a better place the past 30 years. Many of us appreciate what you have done. In time, the rest of Malaysia will too.
Brian Yap
Mr. Lim, the BN has won once in this election, please do not let them win again by resigning from the DAP party leadership now. Your experience is essential to the party. It will not be responsible to quit just because of the party's poor showing. Instead, you should take responsibility by turning the party around in the next election, and to groom younger leaders to take over. Then, at least, if you wish to resign, you can leave with honour.
Bryan Ng
Singapore
Lim Kit Siang, having been the leader for DAP for so long and has gone through thick and thin with the party, should not, at this juncture resign. I believe he should carry on his struggle for what he believes to be right and just, and to lead DAP onwards into the new millennium. Many a great and noble leaders of this century never gave up their ideals ... and in the end, the ripple they created turned to be a Tsunami for change to a better future for the future generations.
Lim and his family has suffered much from unjust technicalities in many instances ... but if he gives up now, all that he has suffered would have been in vain. I urge you on LKS. I am sure you will do more good by leading the party than by resigning.
Justice will prevail ... and the wicked shall fall.
Vicnz
Lim Kit Siang has done a wonderful job for 30 years. It is time for him to relinquish his post for new blood. However, he must be retained as an advisor for one cannot let his experience go to waste.
Cherry
Of course, Lim Kit Siang should stay. He is the best opposition leader! My guess is that Mr Lim will stay. He is merely trying to gauge his popularity.
Brad Lee
I have counted Lim Kit Siang as one of the best politcian leader Malaysians should be proud of. (The others are Dato Onn Jaafar and ...)
The Anwar Ibrahim saga has provided the Malays an insight - that we should build our country
based on principles and concept that is acceptable to all races. We should not blindly follow any party (as in the past Umno for the Malays, DAP for the Chinese). We should reject the racial politics played by Barisan Nasional. They will used the loss of Malay unity/Malay special privileges against the Malays, the racial riots/Islamic state against the Chinese, while not promising anything except development for the country which, of course, is the responsibility of any party who win the election! It is time for us to support party that will advocate justice, freedom, accountability and good governance and its leaders.
Lim Kit Siang is a politician who may not be the perfect strategist or has superb political acumen. But all these years he has demonstrated that he upheld his beliefs and principle, he fought for a democratic, fair and just Malaysian society and at no time did he compromise on any of those. Now that he is rejected by the very people he has fought for, he should not reject his own principles and beliefs. They are still alive and there are many Malaysians who shared the same belief. We have lost this time. But we will fight again and again and again until we realised our dreams. Why? Because we cannot betray our principles and beliefs. Otherwise, we would have joined Barisan Nasional long ago!
Fight on my friend! Reformasi for all Malaysians (not only for Anwar!)
Imagine
It is extremely sad to hear that Lim Kit Siang would be resigning. Please Mr. Lim, just hold on before you make any such move. You have been a bastion and a champion fighting against all the odds and injustices in Malaysia. You have done an excellent job. The way I see it, you are a true Malaysian with qualities not seen among most Chinese in Malaysia. Being a Malaysian of such a rare breed, are you now going to dismantle and allow those incredibly rare characteristics that you possess -- something which the human race can be proud of -- to be vaporised just like that?
The younger generation and the generations of all the future citizens of this beloved country will have much to learn from you. Your resignation would be a serious damper to these young people of the present and the future that righteousness does not pay and therefore is not necessary. Your championing the rights of the many out there whose voices have never been heard by the powers-that-be has indeed created silent thunders into the minds of the lawmakers in Parliament. It does not matter whether the lawmakers have finally taken heed because of the often used parliamentary whip, but the fact remains, you have never at any moment ceased to unleash that thunder when necessary.
Are you now going to cease everything simply because you lost the elections? Have you not realised that you lost the contest with the support of thousands and thousands of people in Penang. After all, almost half the electorate in your own constituency went out of the way to give you that unfailing support. You just lost with a handful of votes.
In any election there has to be only one winner. There is no runner up as you know. It is just bad luck that you lost and there are ample reasons towards this end. There is just one reason and only one as to why you lost. The people were not prepared to accept the PAS, however good or genuine these fellow brothers are. That is all to it. In spite of that, you still lost this well-fought
contest with just a few miserable votes. It could been the other way round.
You, Mr Lim, Mr Karpal and Dr Chen Man Hin are fighters of a rare breed. So don't be disheartened. It just so happened that you lost this time. Mr Lim, you must stay and carry on as the people's champion. There are great people in the other parties like Keadilan and PRM who also need your armour of steel for continued support.
Remember, there was only one Abraham Lincoln, one Indira Gandhi, but they have left their indelible mark that mankind has registered as great fighters for the people. There is only one Lim Kit Siang in Malaysia and we can ill afford to lose this. I am not a Chinese but I will dare say what I have just said. You must be around to lead the party DAP. You cannot withdraw and
for heaven's sake don't be a bad loser!
Dr Mathew
Lim Kit Siang's resignation from DAP will be a big loss to the party and the Chinese community. But I personally feel that he deserves a rest after "fighting" for more than three decades and, moreover, this was not appreciated by the people. He deserves a quiet and peaceful retirement and to spend some time with his family and personal friends. My friends and I sincerely thank him and his family for the contributions and sacrifices to the society.
E. C. Tan
Bukit Kiara
Lim Kit Siang's announcement to resign is timely. He, too, has to take responsibility for DAP's poor performance. But it is worse now that he is blaming the coalition with Kesdilan and PAS as the reason for the poor performance. It should be recognised that the Barisan Nasional's fear tactics worked on the Chinese voters. Lim's recent statements present a very Chinese chauvinistic DAP and played right into the hands of BN's racial politics. Since Lim is not able to rise above all this, it is only right that he resigns and let others in DAP handle the situation.
No single party would be able to provide a credible opposition in Malaysian politics, let alone to form the government. DAP should accept this and stop talking of just satisfying the Chinese community. Lim Guan Eng had done the right thing in defending the young Malay girl. He broke the race barrier and showed that DAP was capable of defending the rights of the Malays too.Kit Siang is now destroying what Guan Eng had built. Does he realise that many Malays voted DAP this time because of the coalition? Or DAP does not want nor need Malay votes?
DAP and the other opposition parties today should also realise that voters want a strong and credible opposition that would be capable of becoming the next government. No single party can do it. Not DAP. Not PAS. Not Keadilan and not PRM. However, a workable and stable coalition as Barisan Alternative would be more acceptable to the voters, including myself. We may not like or agree with BN but their coalition works. Only an alternative coalition could mount a credible challenge to it but not a single party.
Mustafa Johan
Lim Kit Siang should stay on. His contribution to Barisan Alternatif is crucial.
T. Dorai
I am a Malay who voted for the first time recently. With all sincerity and honesty, I urge Lim Kit Siang not to resign. I honestly believe that should there be any trouble in this country, leaders such as Lim, Karpal Singh and others would not abandon us, as shown by the likes of Guan Eng, Tian Chua and many others who have put themselves on the line in the name of justice during the numerous reformasi rallies in Malaysia. Please Lim and Karpal, I beg both of you not to resign. We still need your guidance and strength. I write on behalf of my families and friends who do not want to see you both leave.
