Guan Eng rallies thousands in Kuching on super Saturday

DAP leader's presence brings new life to the usually lacklustre ceramah at Sarawak election campaign.

KUCHING: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s popularity among Chinese Sarawakians was undeniable as the often lacklustre DAP ceramahs here was brought to new life once word of his presence spread around.

Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, is here to help his party’s campaign for the state elections on May 7. He was welcomed and celebrated by more than 2,000 people from all around the city who showed up to listen to his speech.

Cars filled the road at every corner leading to Jalan Tun Jugah where the show went on, and as all legal parking spaces were taken up, as early as 8pm, some resorted to double parking or sitting inside the car until midnight just to hear him speak.

Lim spoke in Chinese for most of his speech, but switched to English when recounting the trouble he faced when landing at Kuching airport on Friday.

“They (airport immigration authorities) made me wait 20 minutes. I was wondering why they make me wait for so long. If I can’t come in, then tell me straight.

“When I asked them why is it taking so long, they told me they’re looking for the special chop (stamp). Then they said I have to go back by the 5th (of May), and I can come back only after the 7th. After the 7th, they will surely kaotim (settle) already.”

Speaking to the crowd who cheered at every statement he made, Lim said while he respected Sarawak’s right to restrict whoever they wanted from coming into the state, the list of those whose visit came with plenty of restrictions showed that Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem was merely attempting to display his power.

“Chief Minister also cannot come in? We are the same status you know. He’s (Adenan) a CM, I am also a CM. Azmin Ali too.

“We are not criminals. We are Members of Parliament, state assemblypersons. That is unforgivable.”

Lim and several other Opposition leaders including Azmin and PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail were allowed into the country’s largest state on the condition that they leave several days before the election.

Adenan in a statement issued yesterday said he will reconsider the decision if these individuals make a formal request to have their stay here extended.