Leave Lee Lam Thye alone

I wasn’t surprised by the Malaysiakini news informing us that PKR protestors confronted the three-member independent panel set up to verify the authenticity of the VK Lingam video clip.

PKR members are well known for such hi-drama protests since 1998 when then they took to the streets of KL and terrified the nation.

They were led by PKR supreme council member Latheefa Koya.

Latheefa also criticised the appointments of Haidar and Lee Lam Thye. But what annoyed me has been her condemnation of Lee, when she said that it was ironic to have Lee in the investigative panel, considering more than 10 deaths involving national service trainees have yet to be investigated. Lee is of course chairperson of the NS Training Council.

A Malaysiakini reader Yin Ee Kiong also wrote a letter to let us know that Lee Lam Thye is not the social activist that some has termed him. Yin said that since Lee left politics he has been more a businessman and an establishment figure than someone who will agitate for social change to benefit the masses.

Yin declared: “Except for the short time when he was in opposition politics; when has Lee made any statement contrary to or critical of government policies without first taking the wind directions?”

Citizens are of many ilk – some are establishment people, while some are anti establishment or, in more polite description, opposition personalities. Some are warriors while some are primary school teachers; some are firebrands when some are only quiet but steady plodders. There are all kinds.

Who is of more use to a nation?

I dare say all are of equal use and importance to a country.

Lim Kit Siang is no doubt a firebrand and a confronter. But Lee Lam Thye, even in his heydays as he is now, works quietly and achieves silent but meaningful results for his clients – when he was a DAP politician he was deemed the most successful DAP politician who obtained for the members of his constituency, hawkers and the ordinary KL people, what they wanted, needed and desired.

There was neither high level nor high sounding policy, ideology, philosophy or bull. His forte was looking after his supporters' bread and butter issues, and getting City Hall off the backs of the people, etc. He worked in harmonious relationship with the bureaucracy as he knew that was the only way he could get things done for the benefit of his constituency. And the bureacracy appreciated him.

Then, he was politically invincible, even more popular and respected than the legendary Bao Gong.

But now the man has retired and taken to business – many in the know claimed he left the DAP because he couldn’t get along with Lim Kit Siang.

Be that as it may, the point has been he chose to leave politics. Yet, many resented him for doing so, accusing him as Yin has done, that Lee hasn’t made any statement contrary to or critical of government policies without first taking the wind directions.

Must he?

Has that been his style even when he was at his pinnacle?

F-think carefully before making such an unfair and unworthy comment/criticism, without knowing his history nor understanding Lee's personal style of interaction!

Lee Lam Thye had contributed more to opposition politics than people like PKR’s Latheefa or Yin could dream of ever achieving, even if both of them combine their meagre efforts.

One single hair on Lee's leg speaks of more achievement done for the people, especially those of KL, than Latheefa’s whole crown on her unthinking head. She could merely dream of emulating Lee, and even then, most unsuccessfully.

Leave this man alone – he has done his part, and what a part, so let him enjoy his retirement. If he doesn’t grandstand like a de facto leader, it’s because that’s his way, that of a quiet achiever and certainly none of a noisy boastful but utterly useless and empty non-achiever.