“Why do we still go with personality-driven politics?” the moderator asked
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang was taken by surprise during a Facebook Live discussion today when the moderator asked him about politicians being rewarded the prime ministerial post by their parties, instead of through direct elections by the people.
The dialogue, titled “Insight Talk, Saving Malaysia: Friends and Foes” was moderated by Jahabar Sadiq, who runs the news portal The Malaysian Insight.
Lim and former enemy-turned-ally, former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, were guests of the programme.
The moderator had earlier asked Dr Mahathir what it feels like to be working with his former protégé, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whom he sacked in the 1990s.
“If you keep harping on the past, then of course we will be enemies forever. But this thing we are struggling for is too big for us. What happened to us matters very little.
“So if I were to say (Anwar) called me names and all that, therefore, I can’t work with him. In politics, you have to accept being called names.
“In order for the present government to be defeated, the opposition must be united,” Dr Mahathir said.
Lim went on to reiterate DAP’s stand that the party has been consistent in its wish to see Anwar as the next prime minister.
He said the country “owes Anwar a lot” for his contributions and sacrifices.
However, the moderator asked Lim why the prime ministerial position should be a reward for someone’s past contributions, instead of something decided upon by the people, or Members of Parliament.
“Why do we still go with personality-driven politics?” the moderator asked.
In response, Lim said that he does not think that the prime minister’s post should be a reward to someone, although he expressed hope of seeing Anwar as the eighth prime minister.
“It will be because of (Anwar’s) vision, his programmes, and for the future of the country. I don’t (see it as) a reward,” he said.
Source: NST Online
