Introduction by CPI

We are reproducing below two tributes paid to Lim Kit Siang on the occasion of his 70th birthday. The CPI joins the many Malaysians wishing him many happy returns, and recognizing his extraordinary contribution to the nation through his dogged struggle for the preservation of our parliamentary democratic system and fight for our basic freedoms.

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KOON YEW YIN, Speech on the occasion of Perak DAP celebration of Lim Kit Siang’s 70th birthday in Ipoh on 25th Feb. 2011.

Let me begin by thanking the DAP for its invitation to me to celebrate the occasion of Saudara Lim Kit Siang’s birthday, and for this honour to say a few words to this distinguished audience.

Firstly, it is only right that we are gathered here to pay tribute to a giant of a politician, Saudara Lim Kit Siang. In my mind, there are two key people who have been responsible for this turning point that we have reached in our country’s politics.

One is of course Saudara Anwar Ibrahim who has been the glue in bringing together the DAP, PAS and PKR together in Pakatan Rakyat to challenge the political hegemony of BN and UMNO and in galvanizing the electoral vote for the opposition. The Government has launched a ridiculous campaign to harass and destroy him by a fictitious charge but I am sure Anwar will prevail and will continue his struggle for a better Malaysia.

The second hero in Malaysian politics – someone who has put his heart and soul into transforming Malaysia, and who has paid the price for standing up for the ideals of parliamentary democracy – is Saudara Lim. This is a truly towering Malaysian who has stood unwavering on behalf of justice, truth and equality for over 40 years in the public arena. Many young Malaysians may not be aware that for standing up for our basic freedoms, Saudara Lim was put in detention on 2 occasions under the ISA, the first time for 18 months in 1969 and the second time under Operation Lallang in 1987, when Kit Siang and his son Guan Eng were detained for another 18 months, together with four other DAP leaders.

What remains of our democratic system despite the attempts by Barisan and UMNO to debase and corrupt and destroy it – witness what has taken place in our beloved state of Perak - owes a great deal to the untiring efforts of Kit Siang. He has been a true Malaysian political giant.

I am not alone in my appreciation. In December 1999, HAKAM the national human rights society had written a tribute to Kit Siang:

“HAKAM would like to put on record its tribute and appreciation to you for your selfless and fearless long-public service in the quest for a more just and equitable society and commitment to the principles of parliamentary democracy and good governance.

We have no doubt that the cherished ideals and principles that you have steadfastly championed through the long years of trials and tribulations and personal sacrifices will not be in vain and your precept and example will surely be a source of inspiration and an example for the young generation of Malaysians to emulate.”

These words of appreciation were written more than 10 years ago. Kit Siang continues his fight for a better Malaysia, a fight which I hope the younger generation gathered here will contribute in whatever way they can.

My own contribution is in the way of a donation to the DAP to mark Kit Siang’s birthday. The contribution is to enable the party to renew its efforts at winning the elections and together with the other members of PR, form the next government of Malaysia. This is the goal – to end the over 50 years of BN autocratic rule – with a new era of clean and transparent politics, with a new government committed to good governance and respect for parliamentary democracy.

This RM 100,000 donation is made publicly and openly so that others – whether in business or in the professions – can be encouraged to play their role in transforming the country. We must never be afraid to put our money where our mouth is.

Too many of my peer group will bitch and complain about how bad the government is; how corrupt BN politicians are; how disgusted they are with the racist politics engaged in by the BN; how the young children of Malaysia face a bleak future; even how badly their own businesses have been affected by the crony-ridden state and national agencies working with the BN politicians. Yet they do nothing about it. All they do is mourn and groan. To this group of rich and well-endowed businessmen and professionals, I challenge them: PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS and I assure you - together we can change the government and Malaysia.

Thank you

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Dear Kit — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah

February 19, 2011

FEB 19 — After a long journey in your political career, weathering the often rough and tumble of Malaysian politics, you somehow managed to survive and carve a popular name, an icon among your admirers and a ‘political bug’, so to speak, among your opponents.

So, you are now 70 years of age — not too young but not too old either — to go on treading the political journey.

You have consistently upheld and stood your ground on matters relating to the fundamental rights of all the rakyat, irrespective of race, to free and responsible speech, the rights to enjoy a just and fair distribution of the economic and social wealth of  the nation, and to political, judicial and legal justice.

You have consistently and courageously spoken up against the corruption and the various misdeeds and defaults of the government and demanded actions, both in Parliment as well as outside it, depite the possible reprisals, the threats and even possible punitive actions that might be taken against you, which in fact you have  suffered in the past.

But you have not kept your silence; you continue to grow bigger and speak even louder.

In the end, it seems to me you are the winner because, despite what your opponents say about you, as long as you know and believe what you stand for is good for the poeple and the country, you are on the right path.

Politicians, and especially those who have been given the mandate to ‘rule’ or ‘govern’ the country, must be honest, trustworthy, clean and efficient.

They must have PRINCIPLES and be consistent in their upholding and promotion of the principles for the good of the rakyat and the country and not be swayed or swerved by their personal interests and greed.

The rakyat look up to a Wakil Rakyat or to a government leader not because he or she is a Malay, a Chinese or an Indian, an Iban or a Kadazan; they look up to you because of your principles — principles that they can respect, trust and emulate.

On this auspicious day, may I quote Georges Pompidou who once said:

“A statesman is a politician who places himself at the service of the nation.  A politician is a statesman who places the nation at his service”.

Let me now say “Selamat Menyambut Hari Jadi Yang ke-70”, in other words “Happy Birthday to You”.

Wishing you good fortune, good health and long life. May you continue to tread the rough and tumble of the Malaysian political road with even greater tenacity and thrust in the years ahead until we can all together ensure that no one in the country is allowed to create a situation of disaster of the type we have just seen in Tunisia and Egypt.

* This is Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's birthday greetings to Lim Kit Siang who turned 70 on February 20, 2011.