[Watch] Muar-Born Australian MP Sam Lim Gives Maiden Speech In Mandarin And Malay
Lim was addressing the Australian House of Representatives for the first time following his election win in May 2022.
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Why is it important to remember your roots?
Knowing more about the place we belong to and our cultural affinities gives us a strong sense of identity.
Muar-born Australian MP Sam Lim gave a brief yet touching speech in his maiden speech in the Australian Parliament following his election win in May 2022.
Lim, a former police officer and dolphin trainer, thanked Malaysians for the first two languages ​​he learned – Mandarin and Malay.
In his speech, Lim also read verses in the Bible from the book of Proverbs, chapter 27, verses 10 in the King James version – that it is better to have a neighbour nearby than a relative far away.
Lim thanked his volunteers, donors and fundraising team and also took a moment to honour his parents in Hokkien.
@SamLimMP’s first speech in Parliament today was extraordinary.
— Tim Watts MP (@TimWattsMP) September 6, 2022
Filled with love, he gave thanks in three languages – Malay, Mandarin and English.
I’m so proud the reality of the thriving diversity of the modern Australian community is now being reflected in our Parliament. pic.twitter.com/xhOiliULsy
The People’s Champion
His gesture drew applause from many, including fellow MPs.
To all the brothers and sisters in Malaysia, Australia and worldwide, thank you for all the attention and blessings you have given me. Thank you for all your support and help during the Australian election. said Lim, who is the Member of Parliament for Tangey in Perth, Western Australia.
Australian MP Lim thanking Malaysians in his maiden Parliament speech.
Fellow Labour Party MP Timothy Graham Watts praised Lim for his speech in multiple languages.
He said it reflected the rapidly growing diversity of Australia’s local community.
Lim defeated the Liberal Party’s Ben Morton by a 9.5% margin.
The victory ended nearly a decade of conservative rule by the Liberal-National coalition in federal parliamentary elections.
In what was described as a surprise result, Lim’s victory was part of a wave of support for candidates campaigning for more action on climate change.
Humble Beginning
In 1980, Lim joined the Malaysian police force, always wanting to serve the community and help people.
He enjoyed his career, but his salary was too low to support my family and quit after two years due to low pay.
When searching for new employment, he found what he described as the best job in his life: a dolphin trainer at a safari park.
He was with his dolphin friends for four years before the park closed.
Dolphins are so loving and beautiful. They are cheeky. And very intelligent. They can sense our feelings.
Australian MP Lim on the joys of being a dolphin trainer.
After the safari park shut down, he started a supply and distribution business that was quite successful with operations across the country.
It allowed him to provide a secure life for his growing family.
Men In Blue
Lim spent more than 15 years in the Western Australia police force.
He was posted across Western Australia servicing the community before returning to Perth.
Have you all heard of Sam Lim? A former WA police officer of the year, dolphin trainer and now federal MP for Tangney, Lim can speak English, Malay and 9 other Chinese languages. Will definitely be an interesting Parliament! #auspol #Australia #Dolphins https://t.co/5MpImxoJjd
— Being Asian Australian (@asian_being) May 31, 2022
Lim said police officers have a most challenging job, constantly taking on stressful and undesirable duties that no one else wants to do.
We start our day before our children or partner are awake. Once we arrive at a police station, we put on our blue uniform and gear up and hit the road. We never know what situation will arise or what will be called to attend.
Australian MP Lim on the highs and lows of being a policeman.
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