He said it would take time for the people to realise that DAP has not betrayed them or that it had not given up on its “objective of a New Malaysia of unity, freedom, justice, excellence and integrity”.
“This is the extent of the misperception and misunderstanding about DAP in the Pakatan Harapan government that supporters have about us,” the Iskandar Puteri MP said in a statement at a DAP briefing on the introduction of Jawi calligraphy in primary school textbooks in Skudai last night.
Lim said DAP leaders must have the stamina, perseverance and commitment to stay the course for a New Malaysia.
On Friday, Lim was reported to have been heckled by the public over the introduction of khat (Malay-Arabic calligraphy) in vernacular schools during a Hungry Ghost Festival event in his constituency.
In one video, a man alleged Lim was lying about the issue.
Earlier, the veteran politician had said he had learned Jawi when he was first detained under the Internal Security Act in 1969 and it did not make him any less Chinese.
In his statement last night, Lim noted three things about khat being introduced in Year 4 of the Bahasa Melayu curriculum for Chinese and Tamil primary schools:
- Jawi is not compulsory but optional for students in Chinese and Tamil primary schools, and that there will be no compulsion, learning or examination of Jawi.
- Plans to revise the curriculum to include Jawi in Year 4 Bahasa Melayu textbook in 2020 was decided by the Barisan Nasional government in 2014-2016.
- The statement from the education ministry that “although the plan to introduce khat in schools will proceed, the ministry will still accept the views of various parties to ensure that there is fair consideration”, indicated that the ministry is still open to views and consultation from all groups concerned.
Lim blamed “political conspirators” for trapping Malaysia in an extraordinary situation where the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans and Ibans feel threatened.
“Every community is made to believe that its culture and ethnicity is facing an existential threat. But who is creating all these threats to all racial groups in the country?
“I never thought I would achieve a status unheard of for any Malaysian — feared and condemned by some Malays for being a Chinese threat to Malay rights and ethnicity as well as feared and condemned by some Chinese for betraying Chinese rights, language and culture.
“Is it possible for any one person to assume such multiple and contradictory roles — on the one hand, out to eradicate Malay rights, culture and ethnicity on behalf of the Chinese, and, on the other hand, out to betray Chinese language, education and culture, allegedly at the behest of Malay interests?”
Lim listed the accusations against him, including that he wanted Malaysia to become a republic by eradicating the monarchy, dissolving shariah courts and using zakat for non-Muslims.
“It does not matter that all these are not true, as the propagandists and cybertroopers who peddle these lies continue to incite doubt, suspicion, hatred and fear with these falsehoods, which become particularly divisive and destructive in the era of the internet.
“Now, I am accused of betraying the rights and interests of the Malaysian Chinese.”
He said, on one hand, he was being accused of being the puppet master pulling the strings of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and, on the other hand, he was accused of being the “lap dog” and stooge of Mahathir.
“All these are baseless allegations, which the people will realise when emotions do not run so high.
“I am not a villain and I also do not want to be a hero. I just want to be a patriotic Malaysian to make Malaysia a better nation for all our citizens, regardless of race, religion or region.”
He said Malaysians must come out of their ethnic shells, interact and appreciate the virtues and best values of each other’s ethnicity.
He urged them not to fall victim to “evil conspirators” who only want to endanger and incite suspicion, distrust, fear and hatred — pitting race against race and religion against religion.