Lim Kit Siang

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Lim Kit Siang (born 20 February 1941) is a retired Malaysian politician and one of the country’s best-known opposition leaders. He helped found the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and led it as secretary-general for nearly 30 years (1970–1999) and as national chairman (1999–2004). He served as the opposition leader for long periods: 1973–1974, 1975–1999, and 2004–2008.

Lim has been a Member of Parliament for many constituencies over the years, and also a state assemblyman in Melaka and Penang.

Early life: He was born in Batu Pahat, Johor, to Chinese parents with roots in Fujian, China. He married Neo Yoke Tee in 1960 and they have four children, including Lim Guan Eng.

Career highlights and challenges: Lim started as a journalist and teacher, studied law in London, and was called to the bar in 1977. He worked as a political secretary to Devan Nair in Singapore before returning to Malaysia and joining DAP. After the 1969 racial riots, he was detained under the Internal Security Act for about 16 months and released in 1970. In 1979, he was convicted under the Official Secrets Act for exposing a government arms deal. He returned to politics and, in 2004, helped DAP win the most seats among the opposition, making him Opposition Leader again. In 2015, he was suspended from Parliament for six months for insulting the speaker.

Retirement and honours: Lim announced his retirement from politics on 20 March 2022. He received the federal title Tan Sri in 2023 and Penang’s state title Dato’ Seri Utama in 2024. He is the father of Lim Guan Eng, a prominent DAP leader, and Lim Hui Ying.