INTERVIEW | Fourteen years ago, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had led Pakatan Rakyat to a thumping victory in Penang - after which he became the state’s chief minister.
Through his former deputy, Mansor Othman (who is currently the deputy environment and water minister), Lim acquired the nickname “tokong” (deity) which is still used by critics for his allegedly arrogant behaviour.
Lim said he was well aware of the label and its double meaning.
“Some said that to show that (they were) personally against me, others said that it shows how I (was) getting things moving and done.
“I think that in Penang, because we had enough time, you can see the results for yourself - what I have done for the 10 years when I was chief minister.
“If only we (Harapan) had that amount of time, you can see the same results in Putrajaya,” said Lim, dismissing the idea of being called a god.
“For me, I just want to do my job. I want to see things get done,” he added.
Asked if he minded the nickname, he clarified that while he doesn’t accept it, he takes criticism with an open mind and as part and parcel of being involved in politics.
Known for his strong character, Lim said that despite the criticisms he faced, he never took action against detractors as he was willing to accept the criticisms.
Besides being able to face criticism, he said, the leadership must also be decisive.
“Of course, the danger of a bad decision is better than no decision. So, I think you’ve got to be decisive.
“When you say that I have a strong character, maybe (it’s) because I am decisive. Once we feel that we need to move ahead, we need to get things done and follow through to make sure it is done,” he said.
Keeping the party intact
With this being his final term as DAP secretary-general, Lim feels that he has done his best over the last 18 years of leading the party, since 2004.
“I’ve done my best. No one is perfect. My weakness was, I am very impatient and wanted to see the results (of the work done). And I am thankful to the support given to me and the collective leadership during the years when I was secretary-general,” he added.
In the span of his leadership, Lim noted, infighting within the DAP was virtually non-existent - compared to what other political parties go through.
“We are very quiet in that sense. Even though there are people who are very outspoken, no actions were taken against them.
“We’re able to resolve it (among) ourselves and we are willing to open our hearts and listen to criticism,” the Bagan MP said.
Lim sees his biggest achievements, in his time as secretary-general, include winning power at both the state and federal level as well as keeping the party intact.
He told an anecdote about an encounter with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Parliament - where the latter had expressed his surprise at the lack of defections from DAP.
“Zahid said, ‘You won 42 seats and now you still have 42. Even Umno cannot do this,’” said Lim, attributing this to the strong sense of camaraderie among DAP representatives. - Mkini
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