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Umno leader cries 'Nepotism!' after Kit Siang's daughter made senator
Published:  Aug 13, 2018 2:26 PM
Updated: Aug 14, 2018 3:38 AM

An Umno leader has criticised the appointment of Penang DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying, the daughter of party veteran Lim Kit Siang and sister of Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, as a senator.

According to Ismail Sabri Yaakob, this is nothing short of nepotism.

To drive home the point, the Umno vice-president also cited how the word nepotism originated from the Latin word “nepos”, which means nephew or grandson.

Ismail also asked if Hui Ying was qualified for the senator post.

“In DAP, it can be said that a portion of their elected representatives has blood ties albeit father and children, sons and daughters-in-law and fathers and mothers-in-law,” he added in a statement today.

According to him, Kit Siang is the longest-serving political leader in the world, holding a position since the formation of DAP in the 1960s.

He pointed out that even Dr Mahathir Mohamad retired in October 2003 before becoming prime minister once again.

Ismail accused DAP of attacking Umno with allegations of cronyism and nepotism just to cover its own tracks with regard to these issues.

Following this, he trained his guns on the family of the late DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh, pointing out that three of his sons are elected representatives.

“Is this not an extreme form of cronyism which robs others of the opportunity to serve the people?

“If these individuals were not the children or in-laws of certain leaders, it would have been difficult for them to become elected representatives,” he added.

Ismail said it is most disappointing that these are the people who criticise the practice of cronyism and nepotism, making clarion calls like “Jom Ubah (let's change)”.

“The leadership structure in DAP has never undergone real change since its formation in 1966. Only its supremo Kit Siang and 'crown prince' Guan Eng's positions have changed.

“In the past, Kit Siang always urged BN leaders to step down, saying they are too old, and to pave the way for others. What about him?

“Where are the changes championed by Kit Siang? Nepotism is at its peak in DAP to the point that some have ridiculed the party as a privately owned firm – DAP Sdn Bhd,” he added.

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