What will be your legacy, LGE?
Remaining as Chief Minister now may blemish his reputation
Rahim Zainuddin, Free Malaysia Today
The truth is that not every politician has an opportunity to leave behind a lasting legacy. In our beloved Malaysia, very few even know that they can.
For discerning Malaysians, the powers that be have effectively forfeited their chance, while those who ruled in the recent past may be seeing their legacies reversed in their lifetime.
Yet, for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng the opportunity to leave a permanent imprint on the local political landscape is there for the taking. One wonders if he has seen it?
Recognised by many as a man of principle, Lim has overcome his fair share of political persecution to reach high office.
Detained under Operasi Lalang in 1987, Lim is best remembered for staunchly defending a minor whom he saw as the victim of statutory rape seven years later. His was an act of courage which saw him prosecuted, convicted and incarcerated, but also heralded by the masses.
After all, aren’t principles what endears a politician to the hearts of ordinary people?
Accused now of corruption, Lim faces his truest test yet.
Barely a year ago, Lim was himself part of a protest by Opposition MPs and civil society leaders demanding that Prime Minister Najib Razak take a leave of absence as accusations of corruption cried out for an investigation.
So why is Lim not heeding his own advice?
