SHAH ALAM - DAP veteran lawmaker Lim Kit Siang announced his official retirement from politics today.
After 56 years in the political arena and being among the DAP founders, he confirmed his retirement even from the party's central executive committee (CEC).
"I'm taking this opportunity to announce my retirement from politics.
"I will not contest in the CEC election today. Please erase no. 39 from the CEC candidate list,'' he said.
Kit Siang also clarified that he will not contest in any elections in the future.
"I too will contest in the Parliamentary or state elections in the future. I have been at the party for 56 years.
"Two days after celebrating our party 56th party and all this time I have watched our party expand from a small opposition party that took part for the first time in the 1969 general election to a main political party that managed to formed a federal government as well as taking over administration of seven other states together with our allies in Pakatan Harapan during GE14,'' he said during his speech at the DAP's 17th national congress today.
Throughout the process, he acknowledge to have experienced many failures and successes but is determined with his objective and will not ever compromise with his principles and ambition.
"We must bring back hope and confidence towards the future because we can turn back the downward trend that has occurred in the past half-decade but it all depends on us.
"Never in DAP's history, that the spirit of unity, camaraderie, commitment and determination because so crucial in our effort to make Malaysia's dreams a reality,'' he said.
Lim then acknowledge that it was an honour for him to be given the chance to be with his fellow patriotic Malaysians whether in or outside the DAP to work for a better Malaysia.