JOHOR BARU: An emotional DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang today shed tears over the non- recognition of the DAP leadership by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
“April 18, 2013… has been the most heart-rending day in my life,” Lim said at a press conference, tears streaming down his cheeks as he read out a statement.
Regaining his composure, he added: “It was the day when the Registrar of Societies dispatched a letter to the DAP to knock out the Rocket symbol from the 13th general election.”
Lim was referring to the ROS letter informing the party that the the central executive committee (CEC) was not recognised, pending a probe on a technical glitch over its election results.
“Not recognising the DAP CEC can only mean not recognising the DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and the collateral consequence of not recognising his authorisation of the use of Rocket symbol in the 53 parliamentary seats and 103 state seats,” said Lim.
Lim said DAP has worked hard to build a just and democratic nation since its inception 47 years ago, and the rocket symbolised principles of integrity, honesty, justice and rule of law.
‘Disaster-in-the-making’
Lim suspected MCA’s hand in the ROS letter, saying there have been rumours on the MCA and Umno grapevine since early this year that DAP would not be allowed to use its symbol.
“The rocket will be sorely if it is not allowed to be used. The government is afraid of DAP, and on the appeal of MCA, is prepared to break all principles to knock out the symbol,” he said.
However, Lim said the DAP decision’s yesterday to use PAS and PKR symbols to contest in GE13, is a disaster-in-the-making or a game changer that will propel them to Putrajaya.
“It can swing either way. If we can’t get the message across to the people as to why we can’t use the symbol even temporarily, then we will be losing left and right.
“But if we can get them to understand the injustice of it all – the outrage, the anger, then it will be the end of government which has gone too long without checks and balances.
“The outcome will be known on May 5,” said Lim, 72,
Lim also said his chances of winning Gelang Patah has further plummeted from 50:50 before the announcement of BN’s Abdul Ghani Othman’s candidacy to 40:60 with the ROS’ letter.
Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Lim has urged the 20 incumbent DAP candidates who were not re-nominated, to stay on with the party and assist in the campaigning.
Asked whether he would sack those who insisted on contesting as independents, Lim said he would leave the post-election consequences to “post-election period”.
