Former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visited Dr Lim Chong Eu at the Penang Hospital here today, and was visibly moved by what he saw.

The former chief minister, who is 91, is still in a coma although he is

reported to be in a stable condition.

Abdullah told reporters: "I am really sad at what has befallen Dr Lim. He is a very highly respected leader."

He hoped the people of Penang would pray for their former leader's recovery.

Lim was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital on Oct 26 after he is believed to have suffered a stroke.

Lim was the second Chief Minister of Penang, and held the post for 21 years, from May 1969 to October 1990.

He was MCA president before leaving the party and becoming Gerakan president for nine years, from 1971.

Under his leadership, Gerakan joined Barisan Nasional in 1972.

- Bernama