TUN DR LIM CHONG EU
His was a colourful and illustiouscareer that spanned many decades
Aliran is saddened to learn of the passing of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu at the age of
91.
A veteran politician who was active for almost half a century, Tun Dr Lim had a
colourful and illustrious career that spanned many decades. He left an indelible
mark on the socio-economic and political scene of Penang. Under his leadership,
the state’s rapid growth and vibrant industrialization revived Penang’s economy
and gave serious meaning to the motto Penang Leads. The Penang Free Trade Zone,
now renamed the Free Industrial Zone, and the Penang Bridge which connected the
two parts of the state, will remain fitting tributes to the memory of this
outstanding politician.
When campaigning for the 1969 General Election, Tun Dr Lim spoke at the
Esplanade with other Gerakan leaders. Then he shared his vision of developing
Penang into a dynamic state with the expansion of industrialization and creation
of jobs. He promised to create 90,000 jobs if returned to power. The vast
majority of the voters who eagerly attended this gigantic rally were skeptical
that such an enormous target could be attained. Looking back, we now know that
Tun Dr Lim surpassed his target. His successful economic transformation of
Penang turned the state into a leading centre of global electronic manufacturing
that paved the way for Malaysia’s industrialization.
The high point in his political career must surely be when the newly-formed
Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia captured Penang in 1969 which allowed Tun Dr Lim
to be the Chief Minister. He went on to hold the post for 21 years. Although his
political career ended with his defeat by Lim Kit Siang in 1990, Tun Dr Lim’s
record as Chief Minister has been unrivalled.
Gerakan threw up many magnificent leaders like the late Professor Syed Hussein
Alatas, Dr Tan Chee Khoon, V David, Tan Phock Kin, Veerappan, Mustapha Hussein,
and Professor Wang Gungwu. The party’’s founding came at a time of great promise
and expectations. The Alliance found a formidable match in Gerakan and there was
a real possibility for change. There was genuine potential for the emergence of
a two-party system.
In the May 1969 election, the Alliance lost its two-thirds’ majority in
parliament for the first time. In fact, the Alliance failed to win the majority
of state legislative assembly seats in Kelantan, Perak, Selangor, and Penang.
Sadly, the ethnic violence erupted on May 13, three days after polling, and
changed the course of our history. Sad, too, was the division within Gerakan
that led to the departure of several prominent leaders when Tun Dr Lim took the
party into the Barisan Nasional coalition which Tun Abdul Razak constructed with
the participation of most other opposition parties, including PAS, SUPP and PPP.
Notwithstanding that development which frustrated many hopes of a reformed
political system, Tun Dr Lim will be remembered as a dynamic leader who held his
ground against his critics, including those within the Barisan Nasional, such
being his fortitude and much respected stature. To that degree, Tun Dr Lim
Chong Eu’s Penang was never a brow-beaten but proud and admired state within
Malaysia.
The Excecutive Committee and members of Aliran sincerely offer their condolences
to Toh Puan Goh Sing Yeng and members of Tun Dr Lim’s family.
May he rest in peace.
Aliran Exco
October 2010
With very warm regards,
RAMA
