Lim Kit Siang urges Johoreans not to split Pakatan vote in ‘test of the Malaysian Dream’
JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 — DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang has called on Johoreans not to split Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) vote in the upcoming Johor state election, saying it is crucial to realising the Malaysian Dream.
The 85-year-old party stalwart warned that if votes are split, the vision of a Malaysia free from race-based politics and discrimination would come under threat.
“This will also put an end to the Malaysian Dream,” he said during his brief appearance at a PH campaign event in Taman Perling here last night.
Lim, who has retired from active politics, described the upcoming Johor state election as a test of the Malaysian Dream.
“Are we going forward, or are we going backwards?
“So, let us not break or split our votes,” he said in a mix of Mandarin and English.
Present were DAP vice-chairman Teo Nie Ching, who is also the Johor DAP chairman; the party’s deputy secretary-general Ramkarpal Singh; and its strategic director Liew Chin Tong.
They were joined by PH’s state election candidates Andrew Chen Kah Eng (Stulang), Alan Tee Boon Tsong (Perling) and Kartiyani Jeyapalan (Skudai).
Lim, a former long-serving parliamentarian, said Malaysia must have its own aspirations rather than simply looking at the progress of other countries.
He said he had observed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s concept of the China Dream during a recent trip.
“I have been to China a few times before, but I don’t feel at home there. I feel more at home when I return to Malaysia.
“As a Malaysian, I too have a dream, one called the Malaysian Dream,” he said, adding that the dream could be realised only if Malaysians placed their national identity above the racial sentiments that continue to shape the country’s politics.
Lim said efforts to build a more inclusive and united Malaysia would not happen overnight because the country is made up of various races, with Malays forming the majority.
He said the confidence of all parties is needed to achieve this gradually.
“Change can only be achieved through patience, understanding and the willingness to correct existing mistakes,” he said.
Lim also touched on Malaysians who have migrated abroad, including to neighbouring Singapore.
He said those living overseas may have a strong desire to return and contribute to Malaysia’s development if they are convinced the country is on the right track.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that Malaysia becomes a country that gives them the confidence to return for a better future together,” he said.
The Malaysian Dream, also known as “Impian Malaysia”, is a concept that advocates a progressive, inclusive and united society where Malaysians are treated equally regardless of race or religion.
It seeks to replace race-based politics with a shared national identity, social democracy and equitable economic growth.
However, the concept has also drawn criticism from Opposition parties, civil society groups and former DAP members who have become disillusioned with the party.
