I never thought I will live long enough to be able to celebrate the 60th anniversary of DAP.

We started in 1966 when we have seven branches and less than 100 members. We have grown to become a party with 22,000 branches with 200,000 members.

I still remember that in the 1969 general elections, we had three election workers in one state assembly constituency. That was the period when people supported us but they do not want to join us.

We were inspired by the ideals and the vision of a Malaysian Dream – to make Malaysia a safer, more equal, freer and united nation for all citizens.

We never thought we will be government in our lifetime but we are now part of the national government and in some state governments in Malaysia.

But our ideals and vision should not falter. We must not go backwards.

The next task of the DAP is to make the majority of Malaysians support the Malaysian Dream where there is safer, more equal, freer and united place for all under the Malaysian sun.

Malaysia is a multi-racial country with Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans and Kadazans. If the Chinese, Indians, Ibans and Kadazans believe in the Malaysian Dream, but the Malays do not, the Malaysian Dream will not be realized.

I have just come back from a tour to China last night.

I have been to China a few times, but I do not feel at home in China. But when the plane enters Malaysian airspace, I feel like coming home.

We must persevere in our task to make the Malaysian Dream a reality.

(Speech by DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang at the launch of the DAP 60th anniversary celebrations in Bukit Mertajam on Saturday, 19th April 2026)