PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak describes Tun 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 Tun 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 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 was 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 today 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