Lim Hui Ying: A Political Party Cannot Always Remain at Its Peak, Most Important is Not to Forget the Original Aspiration and to Stand Up Again

Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, and Member of Parliament for Tanjong, Lim Hui Ying pointed out that a political party cannot always remain at its pinnacle; it will experience both smooth and difficult times. Most importantly, whatever challenges are faced, one must never forget their original aspiration.

She said the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has never had a smooth journey. The 1999 10th General Election was one of the party’s most challenging moments. That year, "party leader" Lim Kit Siang lost the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat, and the late Karpal Singh also lost the Jelutong seat.

“Many people thought DAP had reached rock bottom. But the people of Tanjong never gave up on Penang DAP. If 1986 was when the people of Tanjong chose DAP, then 1999 was when, at DAP’s most difficult moment, they still chose to stand with the party.”

She emphasized that true friends do not just appear in good times, but walk together even in adversity. It was precisely because of this trust that Penang DAP could stand up again step by step.

“This piece of history reminds us of the most important lesson: a political party cannot always stand at the top. There will be both good and bad times. What truly matters is that, no matter what challenges we face, we must never forget why we started.”

In her speech at the 40th Anniversary Tanjong Dinner on Sunday (2nd), Lim Hui Ying also mentioned that August 2, 1986, the 7th General Election, was a major milestone in Tanjong’s history. Lim Kit Siang was elected Member of Parliament for Tanjong, which also officially set off the later nationwide famous “Tanjong Campaign.”

“From that day onward, Tanjong became not just a parliamentary constituency. It became an important symbol for the people’s pursuit of democracy, fairness, and clean politics.”

She pointed out that the Tanjong parliamentary seat, from Lim Kit Siang, Chow Kon Yeow, Wong Hon Wai, and now herself, has carried on the responsibility of serving the people. The state seats under Tanjong have also passed the torch from one generation to the next: Lim Kit Siang, Chow Kon Yeow, Wong Hon Wai, Lau Keng Ee, Ng Wei Aik, Teh Lai Heng, and Wang Yu Hang. They come from different eras, shoulder different roles, yet always hold on to the same belief in serving the people and upholding principles.

In addition, she said, today’s political landscape is more complicated than before; besides political competition, there are also fake news, extreme remarks, and political cultures attempting to stir up division via race and religion.

“The more we are in such an era, the more we need to hold on to DAP’s founding aspiration. DAP never existed to create division, but to promote a fairer, more democratic, and more united Malaysia.”

She believes that reform has never been an easy road. In the past 60 years, DAP has gone through ups and downs, and various challenges, but precisely because it wasn’t easy, this 60-year perseverance is even more precious.