• DAP Kit Siang recollects his first ISA arrest

” Last night, Teresa was informed at about nine something that she could be on the blacklist of ISA arrests, with the suggestion she go into hiding. Teresa refused as she believed that there is no reason why she should go into hiding as she had not done anything wrong to the country and she was fully prepared to face any ISA arrest. I am very proud of her. I am reminded of my first ISA arrest in 1969 when some party leaders advised me not to return to Kuala Lumpur from Kota Kinabalu as I was on the ISA blacklist. I refused to run away from the country, as I maintained that when the people was going through their darkest hour, the place for me was in the country with them.” Lim Kit Siang

Let us be reminded that it has been over forty years since DAP Lim Kit Siang has his first brush with ISA. Just imagine fighting a battle against an oppressive, corrupt, racial and power abusing government for more than forty years. Risking everything in the process. Putting everything dear to him on the line for the sake of upholding what the constitution has promised all Malaysians. Many times, DAP’s struggle appeared to be a losing battle enough to dent the spirit of ordinary individuals, like me. Time and time, we saw DAP came back to fight another round only to be defeated again. I am happy to see Lim Kit Siang live and fought long enough to see redemption and victory on the historic day of 08 March 2008.

08 March 2008 may be DAP’s most significant victory but what is won that day is a battle, not the war. Pakatan Rakyat has penetrated the fortified walls of Barisan Nasional’s stronghold on that day. Anwar’s promise of toppling the government on 916, now that would be a victory worthy of winning the decades old war against Barisan Nasional.

I sincerely hope and pray Kit Siang, DAP, Pakatan Rakyat and most of deservedly, the rakyat … can soon experience a new dawn in Malaysia under the governance of Pakatan Rakyat and Anwar Ibrahim.

Long live Lim Kit Siang.