Three Cheers to Uncle Lim

In the course of my hobby and work, I meet all sorts of people all the time.

From millionaires to celebrities and politicians, I do not think of them as anyone more special than the janitor in the civic hall; therefore, I hardly ask to take pictures unless I have special admiration for them.

Being not photogenic, most of the time, I am dragged along to take photographs with people.

To date, I have only asked to take pictures with the late Tan Sri Ani Arope (former TNB chief), Chinese sitcom actress Lai Meng (of Empat Sekawan fame) and Amanah President, Mat Sabu. Kit Siang is the latest in my list. Perhaps, if there is a chance, I would like a photograph with Rafidah Aziz, and not only Siti Hasmah but Dr Mahathir Mohamad 2.0 as well.

I was invited to a dinner where both the elder Lim and the Junior Lim were there. Guan Eng was my senior at Monash back in the eighties and now a cabinet minister. I could have easily asked to take a photograph with him. Nothing wrong with him, but I only chose to be photographed with Kit. Why?

The reason is simple. Kit is a legend. I have read a lot of what he had to say when he was Mr Opposition. Even now, he speaks his mind. For many years, I have agreed with what he has to say about us being Malaysians.

Although he could have been made a senior minister in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's cabinet, he chose to lead a simple life. For all the years that he has served the country, often sacrificing even his personal freedom, Kit was not seeking for a position or another one of those sought-after awards.

There is a saying that when you throw a stone, you will likely hit a Datuk. But this legend stands out from the rest, and without a title, he deserves my respect.

Kit is not the type that is looking for money or government projects. He exemplifies the slogan, "Service Above Self." In fact, I came up with a slogan to remind all our YBs who were elected on May 9, 2018. The $ sign has a big S which stands for Service. In short, when you see the $ sign, think of this: ‘I Serve.’

Kit is an ordinary man on the street. He can walk around without a bodyguard, and everyone will recognise him. To this man who has contributed much to this nation, I would like to give him a standing ovation.

In fact, his whole lifetime is spent on Opposition politics, not something that is easy to do. He has indeed served the nation well. Like it or not, at the end of his life, I earnestly think that he is worthy of a Tunship.

END.