Johor Bahru, Malaysia: DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang has voiced a powerful message for Malaysia's future: the nation cannot ascend to greatness if only one race thrives. In the run-up to the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections, he has called upon voters to make history by sending a resounding message that success should know no racial or religious boundaries.
Reflecting on the country's inception in 1957, Lim Kit Siang invoked the wisdom of Malaysia's founding fathers – Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Tun V. T. Sambanthan, and Tun Hussein Onn. They envisioned Malaysia as a diverse, multicultural nation, encompassing different races, religions, and cultures. To attain world-class status, unity is paramount.
Malaysia must not fragment into a Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, or Dayak Malaysia. Instead, it should stand for all its people, regardless of their backgrounds, who have called Malaysia their home for generations. This commitment to unity and inclusivity is crucial for the nation's progress.
Lim Kit Siang emphasized the significance of these by-elections, not just for Johor but for the entire nation. He noted Malaysia's lag behind neighbouring countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, India, and Vietnam over the last two decades. The question he posed was clear: Do Malaysians want to continue trailing behind or rise to greatness again?
The remedy, he asserted, is a return to the fundamental principles of nation-building, echoing the aspirations of Malaysia's founding fathers. This involves the active participation of voters in the upcoming by-elections.
Lim Kit Siang also called for trust in the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He urged Malaysians to grant the government three to four years to assess whether it can lead Malaysia to world-class status. He contrasted this with the Perikatan Nasional coalition, suggesting they may not share the same vision for the country.
He reminded the audience that even if the Pulai parliamentary seat is lost, the unity government will not lose its two-thirds majority, ensuring stability. Johor, he emphasized, could lead the charge in saving Malaysia.
This stirring message of unity and progress was delivered at the Ceramah Perpaduan Pulai program in Taman Bukit Indah, attended by prominent figures from various political parties. The Pulai seat comprises a diverse electorate, with 44.18% Malays, 40.46% Chinese, 12.31% Indians, and 3.06% others. Simpang Jeram, with 51.87% Malays, 44.58% Chinese, 2.53% Indians, and 0.99% others, is similarly diverse.
As the early voting for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats approaches on September 5, and polling day is set for September 9, Malaysians have a critical opportunity to unite and shape their nation's destiny, striving together towards becoming a world-class nation founded on unity, inclusivity, and progress.
Reference: Malaysia won’t be world-class nation if only one race successful, says Kit Siang | The Star
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