DAP expresses condolences to the family of former Minister and Gerakan President Tun Lim Keng Yaik

DAP expresses condolences to the family of former Minister and Gerakan President Tun Lim Keng Yaik who passed away yesterday at age 73 at his residence in Petaling Jaya. Lim was President of Gerakan for 27 years from 1980 to 2007 and was Minister from 1986 till 2008.

As one of the longest serving Ministers in Malaysian history, the late Tun Lim was known as one of the few outspoken Ministers in former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Cabinet who dared to speak up in a docile and submissive Cabinet.

Keng Yaik was also known for his easy-going nature, earthy humour and language that he used to great effect to cleverly concealed his razor sharp mind and ability to connect with the grass-roots. This was demonstrated not only by his unchallenged stewardship as Gerakan’s longest serving President for 27 years, but also by the fact that he never lost his parliamentary seat of Bruas to the DAP from 1986.

Only after his retirement, did Bruas fall to the DAP, albeit by a smaller than expected margin due to Keng Yaik’s strong influence in his parliamentary constituency. He will be missed by many in his party for providing the leadership that offered stability and direction.