FORMER STATE CHIEF MINISTER AN ICON IN COUNTRY`S POLITICAL HISTORY, SAYS PM

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak describes former
Penang state chief minister Dr Lim Chong Eu as an iconic leader in the country's
political history.
He said Dr Lim had appeared when the country was going through a dark moment
after the May 13, 1969 incident where he had succeeded in choosing a path
towards reunification and political stability.
"(Tun) Lim chose to cooperate with the late Prime Minister Abdul Razak and
eventually became one of the leaders who had founded the Barisan Nasional," he
said after receiving Muslim missionary, Dr Sheikh Yusuf Islam, here.
Najib said he would also go to northern state of Penang on Sunday to pay his
last respect to Dr Lim.
Dr Lim, 91, died on Wednesday at his residence in Tanjung Bungah after being
admitted to Hospital Pulau Pinang for almost a month following a stroke.
Najib said that as Penang Chief Minister, Dr Lim had worked persistently to
develop the state to the extent that it had gained international recognition.
"This is the result of (Tun) Lim's persistent efforts to introduce Penang as a
beautiful island with tourist attraction as well as an island that would become
a base for industrialisation which had started with the emergence of
multi-national companies setting up their operations and factories there.
"All these had already been recorded in the history of our country and I believe
although (Tun) Lim is no longer with us, his contributions and deeds will always
be remembered and recorded in the annals of our country."
Najib said that the Cabinet meeting Friday also recorded its condolence to the
family of the late Dr Lim.
"The Cabinet feels that his contribution was most significant and we will
remember his deeds and invaluable contributions towards the country's success as
well as in the country's recovery after the May 13, 1969 incident," he added.
-- BERNAMA