I first met Lim Chong Eu in August 1986 in the aftermath of the 1986 general election when I visited him at his new office at the newly-completed Komtar Tower with a delegation of businessmen.

He was very courteous but I noted that he was pensive person, calm and deliberate in discussions.

At the visit, one of our group remarked in jest to Chong Eu that "..it is not that we love you less but we cannot afford to lose Kit Siang in Parliament...".

This was in reference to the 'battle royale' in the Tanjung parliamentary constituency between Lim Kit Siang and Koh Tsu Koon (Chong Eu's protege) that Kit Siang had just won. Incidentally, Tsu Koon also sat in on the discussions as Chong Eu's special officer.

I am sure all Malaysians mourn the passing of a statesman who was a bridge between our colonial days and the modern era. He helped bring development and prosperity to Penang in very challenging times.

May God bless his soul!

The writer is a councillor with Petaling Jaya City Council.