by Tay Tian Yan
The Malaysian Insider
March 21, 2013

MARCH 21 — DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang has, after all, engaged in politics for half a century. He is indeed a daring veteran politician of Malaysia, just like Lian Po, a prominent military general of Zhao during the Warring States period of China.

Reputable Lian Po was an outstanding general who had fought in battles for decades. He was still ambitious even in his old age.

He was a semi-retired general when he was 70 years old. However, since there was no general to lead the troops to fight against Qin, someone actually suggested Lian Po. The emperor of Zhao frowned and asked: “Is the old Lian Po still able to eat?”

He then sent someone to find it out.

Lian Po knew that the emperor was trying to find out his condition, he thus invited the scout to stay for a meal. He ate a bucket of rice and 10 pounds of meat in front of the scout and gave a horse-riding performance to prove that he was still very strong.

However, the scout was bribed by his political enemy. He told the emperor that Lian Po could still eat, but he went to release himself three times during the meal.

The emperor then thought Lian Po was no longer capable and thus he dared not field him for the battle. Zhao was later defeated by Qin in the Battle of Changping.

Lim Kit Siang is as ambitious as Lian Po and he is more fortunate compared to Lian Po as he does not have to report to a superior like the emperor of Zhao. Although he is already 72 years old, he can still contest in the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat as he wishes.

He is outstanding enough to convince everyone.

Comparatively, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would not lead the fight in Sabah while PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang would not contest in Pahang to expand the influence of PAS. Lim possesses a significantly different vision and courage.

Lim wishes to lead the DAP to lay a bridgehead in Johor and expand the party’s influence to the state. Although it is an old trick, the most important point is, it works.

The DAP cannot simply assign someone to lead the vanguard but must have a political star who can attract attention and gain voters’ support.

Gelang Patah has been chosen as the fighting location while Johor will be the battlefield. Sentiments and election results of the whole state will be affected.

In particular, Johor is the last turf of the MCA. Today, however, the strong wind of anti-establishment sentiments in the Chinese community can even uproot old trees.

If fact, it is a sure-win strategy for the DAP, as well as for Lim himself.

Johor constituencies basically have balanced racial ratios. However, Gelang Getah has more Chinese voters, about 53 per cent of the total voters. With the DAP’s momentum and Lim’s charisma, it should not be a problem to gain 70 per cent or even 80 per cent of Chinese votes.

He can win the seat as long as the number of Malay and Indian votes is not lower than 25 per cent.

Once the trend is set off in Gelang Patah, it could drive victory in other Johor constituencies, including Kulai, Kluang, Tanjung Piai, Pasir Gudang, Tebrau, Muar, Segamat and Bakri.

Even if Lim loses, he has passed the baton to his beloved son while his own political career has passed the peak. He has nothing to lose but will only gain historical status.

Although his eyesight and hearing may be failing, certainly Lim, who has just celebrated his 72nd birthday, can still eat well. — mysinchew.com