Malaysian-born Australian MP Sam Lim has become the talk of the town as he speaks fluent Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese during his inaugural speech in Australian Parliament.
Sam, a former member of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), told the Australian Parliament that he would like to express his gratitude to Malaysians in the two languages he first learned: Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese.
“Words are not enough to express my gratitude, but right now, they are all I have.”
Thank you, Malaysians
He then began the first part of his speech in Bahasa Malaysia:
Kepada saudara-saudara yang berada di Malaysia, Australia dan di pelusuk dunia. Terima kasih atas semua perhatiandan berkat yang telah anda sekian berikan kepada sava.
Terima kasih atas semua dukungan dan bantuan anda semasa pilihan rava di Australia. terima kasih semua!
(English Translation: “To all my friends in Malaysia, Australia and overseas, thank you for your attention and love. Thank you to everyone who supported and helped me in the Australian election, thank you all.)
Thank you to Chinese all around the globe
Moving forward, he also thanked the Chinese around the world for supporting him in Chinese:
“各位旅居在五福四海的华人同胞、兄弟姐妹们大家好。谢谢你们给予我的所有关心和祝福，感恩你们在全国大选期问给子我的支持和协助，谢谢大家。”
(English Translation: Hello, all Chinese compatriots, brothers and sisters living around the world. Thank you for all the care and blessings you have given to me. Thank you for your support and assistance during the national election period. Thank you.)
His speech was then reposted by Tim Watt, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, where he wrote:
Filled with love, he gave thanks in three languages – Malay, Mandarin and English. I’m so proud the reality of the thriving diversity of the modern Australian community is now being reflected in our Parliament.
@SamLimMP’s first speech in Parliament today was extraordinary.
— Tim Watts MP (@TimWattsMP) September 6, 2022
Filled with love, he gave thanks in three languages – Malay, Mandarin and English.
I’m so proud the reality of the thriving diversity of the modern Australian community is now being reflected in our Parliament. pic.twitter.com/xhOiliULsy
The tweet, which was posted yesterday (6 September) has since received over 1.7k likes and over 740 retweets at press time.
Read also: Chinese Man Jailed For 10 Days After Using WeChat To Scold Neighbour For 5 Mins Nonstop
Used to work at PDRM officer and dolphin trainer
According to Sam Lim’s personal website, he was born in Johor in 1961 and the oldest of eight children.
He also served for two years as a Police Constable with the Royal Malaysian Police Force, before leaving to become a dolphin trainer, and then went on to run several small businesses in Malaysia and then in Australia.
He also shared that he moved to Australia because he wanted his children to receive a world-class education.
Win praises online
Many netizens went to the comment section and expressed their appreciation of Lim’s action.
“Bravo and wish you all the best.”
“So proud of multiculturalism and diversity”
“Such humility & empathy, congratulations Sam Lim, the very best!”
“This is simply awesome @SamLimMP Syabas dan terima kasih.”
“I am Malaysian, I [am] so proud of you.”
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