‘IN THE PAST, FINDING MEMBERS WAS LIKE FINDING GOLD’: GUAN ENG SAYS DAP NOW A ‘FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH – AND NO LONGER A LAUGHING-STOCK OPPOSITION MOSQUITO PARTY’

JOHOR BARU:  It has taken DAP more than 50 years to transform itself from a laughing stock into a formidable party playing its part in improving Malaysia’s economy and finances.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said that in the early days of the party’s formation way back in 1966, it was hard for DAP to find members, likening it to finding gold.

“Those who joined the party back then were laughed at but now, all the sacrifices made by our veteran leaders and members have been worth it because the rakyat sees Pakatan Harapan and DAP now as the nation’s economic saviour.

“We are part of Malaysia’s history as DAP contributed to the nation’s growth after our victory in Johor that led us to win Putrajaya in the last general election,” he added.

Lim, who is also the Finance Minister, said this in his speech during the opening of Johor DAP convention held at a hotel here on Sunday (Nov 11).

He said that with DAP now part of the Government, there has been an increase in the number of people wanting to be members.

“Veteran party members should be an example to the new ones,” he said.

Lim pointed out that in Johor alone, the party won five parliamentary seats and 14 state seats in GE14, thus helping Pakatan to form governments at both federal and state level.

He added that Johor was very special to DAP with three ministers and two deputy ministers coming from the state.

Lim also said that besides winning 14 state seats in Johor, DAP also has 98 councillors in all local authorities in the state.

He applauded his father DAP stalwart and Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang, who despite his senior position within the party, rejected the offer to become a minister to give way for the party’s younger leaders to take charge.

“We asked all our wakil rakyats or those with positions to please do a good job to remember the sacrifice made by Kit Siang.

“The rakyat wanted to see a change and a difference in the Government and to make sure this happens, DAP will keep a close watch on the performances of our wakil rakyat and councillors,” he said.

THE STAR