Tributes pour in for veteran lawyer killed in George Town fire

 Former law minister Nazri Aziz describes G San Markan as one of his oldest and closest friends.

Former law minister Nazri Aziz (left) with G San Markan (centre). Their friendship went back to 1974 when they were studying law in the UK. (Malkit Singh pic)

GEORGE TOWN:

 Former law minister Nazri Aziz has expressed his shock at the death of veteran lawyer G San Markan, describing him as one of his oldest and closest friends.

Nazri said his friendship with San Markan, who died in a fire at his law firm on King Street here today, went back to 1974 when they were studying law in the UK and sitting for their bar examinations.

He said San Markan played a mentor-like role in his younger days, recalling how his friend once came knocking on his door on the morning of a contract law paper to make sure he did not miss the examination.

Nazri said he initially told his friend to go ahead without him, only for San Markan to threaten to inform his father if he stayed back. Nazri eventually sat for the paper and passed, while San Markan did not.

San Markan later returned to Malaysia to retake the one paper. Nazri accompanied him to the exam hall, took him to lunch and introduced him to his father.

Nazri said he was grateful he had travelled to Penang for San Markan’s 88th birthday celebration on Jan 28, as it turned out to be the last time they met.

San Markan was one of two people who died in the blaze that broke out at a two-storey office unit in George Town this afternoon. Firefighters found him at about 1.05pm near a window, still seated on a chair.

Penang Bar chairman Gowri Subbayah said San Markan was a respected member of the legal fraternity whose loss would be deeply felt.

San Markan was admitted to the Bar on Aug 7, 1978, and chambered under the late Karpal Singh. He later founded San & Associates before serving as a consultant to several firms, eventually joining M Kiru & Partners.

“Karpal and San Markan shared a close bond and mutual respect that endured throughout the years. The Penang Bar has lost a senior lawyer and steadfast supporter. His presence, generosity and contributions will be dearly missed,” she said in a statement today.

Deputy chief minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo said San Markan was a close family friend whom he had known since he was young, and had also been his father’s student, making the loss all the more personal.

Jagdeep’s brother, digital minister Gobind Singh Deo, said San Markan was always there for him, both for advice and “lighter conversation and a good laugh”. “Uncle San was a good man. I am deeply saddened by his passing and will miss him dearly,” he said.

Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow extended his condolences to the victims’ families and said the state would cooperate fully with the relevant agencies, especially the fire and rescue department, to ensure a detailed investigation is carried out.

He also said the state would consider steps to improve fire safety in old buildings and other high-risk areas. - FMT