Veteran politician and Gerakan stalwart Lim Keng Yaik passed away today at age 73. He passed away at 4.45pm at his residence in Petaling Jaya.
According to Bernama, Lim died of old age.
He is survived by his wife, Wong Yoon Chuan and three children.
After news of his demise was broadcast, media representatives began to fill
up the area outside Lim's residence since 6.30pm to seek more information from
members of his family.
up the area outside Lim's residence since 6.30pm to seek more information from
members of his family.
His son, Si Pin, who is also the Gerakan Youth head, when
approached by reporters, however, declined to be interviewed.
approached by reporters, however, declined to be interviewed.
Lim helmed the leadership of Gerakan for close to three decades since 1980 before stepping down in 2007.
He had served as energy, water and communications minister prior to his retirement in the same year.
Lim was born in Perak and graduated from Queens University of Belfast, United Kingdom with a bachelor of medicine and surgery in 1964.
He joined politics in 1968 and became MCA Perak chairperson in 1971, but later joined Gerakan in 1974 after a fallout with the party.
He had held the Beruas parliamentary seat for 18 years since 1986 but did not contest in the 2008 general election.
Lim was born in Perak and graduated from Queens University of Belfast, United Kingdom with a bachelor of medicine and surgery in 1964.
He joined politics in 1968 and became MCA Perak chairperson in 1971, but later joined Gerakan in 1974 after a fallout with the party.
He had held the Beruas parliamentary seat for 18 years since 1986 but did not contest in the 2008 general election.
Consolidation of water assets
Lim was Primary Industries Minister since 1986 before taking on the portfolio of Energy, Water and Communications in 2004.
As energy, water, and communications minister, Lim was credited with with the Water Services Industry Act 2006 which saw the consolidation of water assets from the states to the federal government.
The water restructuring which had since been undertaken by several states, and is being currently advocated by the Selangor government, was a bid to address the weaknesses and fragmentation of water services as a result of privatisation.
Lim was Primary Industries Minister since 1986 before taking on the portfolio of Energy, Water and Communications in 2004.
As energy, water, and communications minister, Lim was credited with with the Water Services Industry Act 2006 which saw the consolidation of water assets from the states to the federal government.
The water restructuring which had since been undertaken by several states, and is being currently advocated by the Selangor government, was a bid to address the weaknesses and fragmentation of water services as a result of privatisation.
Message of condolences began flowing in on Twitter shortly after his death.
"Condolence to the family of the late Tun Lim Keng Yaik for his demise an hour ago. A great loss to our country," said Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang in a Twitter posting.
Lim is among the veteran leaders of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's cabinet.
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