PETALING JAYA: Malaysian-born Australian MP Sam Lim (pic) drew widespread attention during his inaugural speech in Australia’s Parliament that was partly delivered in Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.
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The 61-year-old pulled a surprise win for the Australian Labour Party for the Tangney seat in the country’s general election that was held in May.
In his speech, Lim thanked Australians and Malaysians who had supported him throughout the electoral process, Sinar Harian reported.
“Kepada semua saudara-saudara yang berada di Malaysia, Australia dan seluruh pelusuk dunia, terima kasih atas semua perhatian dan berkat yang telah anda sekalian berikan kepada saya (To all my friends in Australia, Malaysia and abroad, thanks for all your care and love).
“Terima kasih atas semua dokongan dan bantuan anda semasa pilhanraya di Australia. Terima kasih semua.
(Special thanks to all who have reached out to support and help in the Australian general election. Thank you),” he said in his speech.
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Australia’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Tim Watts also took to social media to share snippets of Lim’s speech, saying that it was extraordinary.
“Filled with love, he gave thanks in three languages – Malay, Mandarin and English.
“I am so proud that the reality of the thriving diversity of modern Australia is now being reflected in our Parliament,” Watts said in his post.
Sinar Harian also said that Lim was born in Kg Parit Zin, Muar, Johor, and had migrated to Australia in 2002.
He also served with the Malaysian police for two years.– The Star