Kin disappointed with Zahid, no death cert issued

The family of Lim Chin Aik is disappointed that the National Registration Department (NRD) is unable to issue a death certificate for him.

Roy Tan, Chin Aik’s family spokesperson, said he was told this by the NRD officials whom he met at their office on Jalan Anson with Northeast District Police chief ACP Gan Kong Meng this morning.

“We are disappointed because on Monday, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said we would be issued the certificate after police have conducted their investigation,” said Tan when met at the Chief Minister’s Office in Komtar.

“We took his words for it. Now the NRD and police tell us we still have to go through legal proceedings, I am not sure how long it would take,” he lamented.

“We need the certificate so that the family can move forward. We also have to conduct funeral rites for Chin Aik, we should have done it in seven days, today is already the ninth day,” he stressed.

“We need the documents as we also have to put the urn in a lot in a collaborium in the temple,” he further said.

Chin Aik, 44, is the hawker believed to be buried inside the crater caused by the impact of the falling lightning arrestor from Menara Umno during a freak storm last Thursday.

During a press conference at the accident site on Jalan Macalister, Zahid had said that once the police send him the probe report, he will direct the NRD to issue the family a death certificate.

In a letter issued to Lee Chai Song, Chin Aik’s wife, dated yesterday, Gan said the police probe revealed that Chin Aik was the “missing person” who was driving the car on that fateful day.

The effort to find his body was done by the relevant authorities from June 14 to 17.

“However, until now, these efforts failed to find the victim at the accident site,” said Gan in an open letter to “whomever it may concern”.

“In this situation, it is hoped that the relevant departments will assist to lighten any inconvenience faced by the complainant and the family of the victim,” Gan added.

“Other than this, the police are not responsible for any claims by any quarters,” he stressed.

Still no answer about inquest

Meanwhile, Tan said he had asked the police about the inquest but no answer was forthcoming.

“We know they tried their best, the police also said sorry. But Zahid gave us the impression that it can be done,” Tan said.

“We are still grieving over Chin Aik’s death but we still have to go through this,” he added sadly.

“There are many issues to settle, his house and car loans, and what about his children, they also need a closure,” he stressed.

Legally, it would take seven years to presume a missing person dead.

Tan said, “We do not know what would happen if we have to wait that long.”

The family, however, will conduct funeral prayers at the Lim Jetty along Weld Quay starting tonight and will send Chin Aik off on Sunday.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who was present during the meeting, offered his legal services to the family, saying “Do not worry about the cost.”

Tan responded positively to the offer, while Gobind requested for a formal acceptance letter.

In the same meeting, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he would speak to Zahid about the matter.

“The CCTV recording showed clearly that someone was driving the car, and the chassis discovered matched that of Chin Aik’s car. There was also only one missing person report lodged by Chin Aik’s family,” he said.