HUNDREDS of state DAP members including state and national DAP leaders attended the appreciation dinner tonight to give solidarity and their appreciation towards the party’s veteran politician Lim Kit Siang who announced his retirement from being active in politics.
In March this year, Kit Siang said that he was retiring from active politics by not taking any position in the DAP central executive council (CEC) and will not be defending his parliamentary seat in the upcoming general election.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the state DAP chairman, said although Kit Siang would no longer be active in politics, he would continue to be concerned about the current issues faced by the country.
“I think Kit Siang has made himself clear during the party’s annual congress in March that he will no longer be active in politics.
“However, I believe that he will continue to be concerned about current issues in the country such as democracy, human rights, nation-building and various issues that affect the people such as the price hike issues and others.
“I am also very sure that he will keep a close eye on how the current generation of DAP leadership will be performing especially the newly-elected secretary-general Anthony Loke and the rest of the party’s CEC members,” Chow said in his speech during the appreciation dinner at Kim Hee Restaurant in Bukit Mertajam tonight.
Among those who were present were Loke, Kit Siang, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng and many others.
The appreciation dinner was organised by Bukit Mertajam DAP.
Chow also recorded his heartfelt appreciation to Kit Siang for his 56-year-long successful political service to the country and the party.
“I would also like to urge the state DAP machinery to be prepared for the upcoming general election.
“Although Kit Siang is no longer active in politics, I hope he will continue to give his advice for the betterment of the party,” he added.
Kit Siang said he would continue to work behind the scene to offer his advice, opinions and ideas to the party.
“I may have retired from competitive politics, but I will still continue giving my ideas, opinions, and advice to the party so that DAP will continue to move forward under the new leadership.
“And I hope the new DAP leadership will continue the party’s legacy and mission to build a better Malaysia for all regardless of race and religion,” said Kit Siang, who is also the Iskandar Puteri MP.