MALAYSIA MOURNS LOSS OF OUTSTANDING LEADER

GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia), Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Wednesday lost an
outstanding political leader, Dr Lim Chong Eu, who was also responsible for
developing Penang into the leading state in the electronics industry.

The state's second chief minister breathed his last at his home in Tanjong
Bungah here at 9.07pm after being warded at Penang Hospitals's Intensive-Care
Unit for almost a month following a stroke.

Born on May 28, 1919, Dr Lim received his early education at Penang Free
School and was a Queen's Scholar in 1937. He obtained his degree in medicine and
surgery from the University of Edinburgh in 1944.

After serving as a medical officer with the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force, he
went into private practice.

He was appointed to the Penang Local Authority Board in 1951 and in 1955,
was appointed a member of the Federal Legislature.


He became MCA president in March 1958 but left the party in July 1959 before
setting up the United Democratic Party (UDP) in the same year, becoming its
secretary-general. He became the party president in 1966.

However, due to lack of understanding with UDP, he quit the party and
co-founded Gerakan in 1968. He became its president one year later.

Dr Lim was appointed Penang chief minister in the same year until 1990.

He was entrusted by the government to spearhead the Penang Development
Corporation, attracting a lot of investments with Penang emerging as the leading
state in the electronic industry.

He inspired the creation of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and was
responsible for initiating the development of Seberang Perai's swampy area into
a modern satellite town, known as Seberang Jaya.

When the country was facing an unemployment crisis in the early 1970's, Dr
Lim introduced an on-the-job-training scheme known as the Pilot Scheme to also
address the school drop-out problem.


The scheme offered jobs to school drop-outs as parking attendants or as
conductors on Penang Island Municipal Council buses, as well as free night
classes.

Two of Penang's important landmarks -- the Penang Bridge and Kompleks Tun
Abdul Razak -- were the realisation of Dr Lim's vision.

Dr Lim retired from politics after he lost in the 1990 general election and
after 21 years as chief minister.

He was conferred the Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM) award which carries the title
"Tun" by the King in 1991 and the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri
(DUPN) with the title "Datuk Seri" by the Penang's Head of State in 1990.

Among the other awards accorded him was "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold
and Silver Star" by Emperor Akihito of Japan, besides receiving an Honorary
Doctorate of Laws from University Science of Malaysia and Doctorate in Honoris
Causa from the University of Edinburgh.

Dr Lim leaves behind his wife Goh Sing Ying, 85, and four children.



-- BERNAMA