OVER the long weekend, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang was awarded the title of “Tan Sri”, the second highest title in Malaysia that only 450 living citizens can hold at any given time.

This is the same title that was bestowed upon former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Among other recipients are legendary civil servants, captains of industry, religious leaders and exceptional global Malaysians. 

It is an honour not unexpected for a man who has dedicated his life in service of Malaysia. His vision was not always shared by others, but it was one that saw the party he helped found move from 40 years of opposition to helming state and federal governments in the last two decades.  

Expectedly, scorn poured in from people who had made his party the “anti-Malay/Muslim” bogeyman, and him, the reviled face of that monster. 

Hate for him and his party stems from ignorance and has been useful for politics.

When Lim served their purposes, Hadi and Muhyiddin and their parties viewed him as a powerful ally to  intercede for DAP to concede to their demands.

So why isn’t Lim worthy of the title? Is it his ethnicity or political affiliation? Is it a question of his contribution? Or is it perception? 

Why not question the qualifications of the 12 businessmen who were conferred the same title?

Granted, DAP has been in two minds about such titles. There was a time Lim himself frowned upon the wearing of the songkok or the accepting of titles. 

But times and allegiances change. 

Indeed, PAS leaders once sang praises of Lim during the time of the Barisan Alternatif and Pakatan Rakyat pacts.

There is a concerted effort to portray Malay-Muslims as g  being under threat - a similar narrative that was used by the architects of the Sheraton Move to remove Dr Mahathir Mohamad from power.

The difference this time is that Dr Mahathir seems to have linked up with these same group of rabble-rousers, implying that this government is an even bigger threat than the last. The beneficiary of the success of the propaganda is Perikatan Nasional. 

Stability is important to rebuild this country and, hopefully, this government will hold up with the support of the institutions, including our rulers, who have repeatedly called for peaceful, stable politics. 

Meanwhile, the honouring of Lim marks another step in DAP’s transition into mainstream Malaysian politics. – June 7, 2023.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.