Soon To Be Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang?
After decades of dedicating his life to politics, Lim Kit Siang is said to finally receive a federal award.
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There is a photo going viral on social media of DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang in a suit and songkok at what looks like a palace setting.
The photo was initially shared by Jeff Ooi who captioned it “Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang (rehearsal)”.
Ooi, who is a former member of Parliament for Jelutong, added in the comment section that the “investiture is on Monday June 5”.
Tomorrow is the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah which will see an investiture ceremony of titles and awards bestowed to recipients.
Kit Siang, being a DAP leader, has not accepted any titles and awards previously, in line with the party’s policy not to do so while active in politics.
He last stood for election in 2018 where he won the Iskandar Puteri seat in Johor. Kit Siang however opted to sit out the 15th General Election (GE15) last year, insisting he has retired.
There has been no formal statement from Kit Siang or DAP on the “Tan Sri” title so far.
DAP and titles
DAP has a stand in which they frown upon members who receive titles and awards while still active in political service.
It can be said that not many of their leaders carry the titles of Datuk, Tan Sri and the likes.
DAP leader Karpal Singh was bestowed with a DUPN posthumously which carried the title Datuk Seri Utama.
Back in 2018, according to the New Straits Times, DAP chided several party leaders in Melaka and Sabah who accepted titles and awards.
Then secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said these went against the party’s struggles.
Perak’s former DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham had also accepted an award while he was still in office which carried the title Datuk.
In 2012, Ngeh defended receiving the title saying the party leadership allowed him to receive the title.
Similarly Teng Chang Khim who at the time was a member of the DAP central executive committee (CEC) received a title and defended it by saying there was no such policy that DAP members shouldn’t receive titles while in office.
Teng was the Selangor state assembly speaker at the time.
A life dedicated to politics
Kit Siang dedicated his life to politics, retiring after having been active as DAP leader and elected representative of several constituencies across the Peninsular for 56 years.
He turned 82 in February this year and had always been with DAP from the start of his political career until his retirement last year.
He started out as the party’s national organising secretary in 1966 and held the post of national chairman prior to his retirement.
While he remained with DAP, Kit Siang has served as MP in several states, going from Melaka to Selangor, back to Melaka, and then Penang, followed by Perak and finally Johor.
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