It has been asked as to what had been the difference to DAP between the days when it was in the Opposition and the days when it was part of Pakatan Harapan Federal Government.
One simple answer is that DAP had only to think of itself when it was in Opposition, but when it is part of Pakatan Harapan federal government, it must also think of the interests of the other three coalition parties, namely PKR, Bersatu and Amanah.
The political principles and objectives of the DAP cannot change, but we are operating in a different milieu, and we cannot speak out like in the past when we are in Opposition, as we should pursue our principles and objectives internally in the Pakatan Harapan coalition government.
The four political parties have different principles and objectives, but we are bound by the common principles of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto which formed the basis of the Pakatan Harapan coalition government.
They are the five pillar-promises of Pakatan Harapan election manifesto in the 14th General Election, viz:
· Reduce the people’s burden. · Institutional and political reforms. · Spur sustainable and equitable economic growth. · Return Sabah and Sarawak to the status accorded in Malaysia Agreement 1963. · Create a Malaysia that is inclusive, moderate and respected globally.
We may not agree or happy with everything that is being done in the name of the Pakatan Harapan government, but it is our duty and challenge to make a special effort to make the Pakatan Harapan government succeed, achieving more of the goals and objectives of a New Malaysia with the passage of time.
I was shocked by the announcement of the Selangor Mentri Besar Amiruddin Shari on renaming Jalan Semangat in Petaling Jaya to Jalan Professor Khoo Kay Kim, not because of any objection to the honour bestowed on the prominent historian, but because it raises the question as to what has happened to the DAP suggestion for quite some time that Jalan Barat in Petaling Jaya should be renamed Jalan Dr. V. David, in honour of the trade unionist-parliamentariann who was instrumental for Malaysia to adopt May Day as a workers’ holiday.
Penang has honoured illustrious political leaders with Karpal Singh Drive, Jalan Ahmad Nor, Jalan P. Patoo and Jalan Chian Heng Kai.
We await clarification from the Selangor Mentri Besar.
(Speech by DAP MP for Iskandar Puteri Lim Kit Siang at a Penang DAP dialogue at Berjaya Penang Hotel on Saturday, 6th July 2019 at 5pm)