Former Penang chief minister Lim Chong Eu was today given last respects before taken to Batu Gantung Chinese Cemetery, Penang, for cremation.    

lim chong eu Some 5,000 people from all walks of life thronged Dewan Seri Pinang as early as 9am to pay their last respects to Lim who died on Wednesday.    

They include Yang Dipertua Negeri Abdul Rahman Abbas, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, several cabinet ministers and political leaders.    

Others are his family members, Penang Hokkien Association, Malaysian Buddhist Association and affiliates, state government members and association representatives.    

The funeral procession which included flag bearers and marching bands from Penang Free School and Penang Private Secondary Girls School had earlier left Dewan Seri Pinang where the lying-in-state ceremony was held, at 11.30am.    

Besides family members and friends, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also took part.    

Also present are State exco members, elected representatives, association leaders, school students and industry representatives.   

The procession made its way from Dewan Sri Pinang via Lebuh Light, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Jalan Kampung Kolam, Lebuh Carnarvon, Jalan Magazine, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Ayer Itam, Jalan Scotland before reaching the cemetery.    

On arrival at 12.50pm, a team from the Malaysian Armed Forces handed over the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) to Lim's son Chien Aun as mark of tribute for the statesman.    

This was followed by Chinese burial rites before Lim was cremated at 1.1.5pm. His ashes will be buried beside his father's grave at Batu Gantung.    

Lim, 91, died at his Tanjung Bungah house after being hospitalised for nearly a month at Penang Hospital following a stroke.    

He leaves behind wife Toh Puan Goh Sing Yeng, sons Chien Aun, Chien Cheng and daughters Pao Lin and Pao Yen.    

Lim was MCA president before leaving the party to form Gerakan of which he was the head from 1971.    

Under his leadership, Gerakan joined the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in 1972.    

Highlights of his leadership as the second chief minister of Penang include the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone now known as Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, also dubbed as Malaysia's silicon valley, the Komtar building, which is a landmark in Georgetown and the iconic Penang Bridge.    

- Bernama