Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong today paid his last respects on the party's former Penang chairperson Tan Gim Hwa, saying it had lost a great statesman.     

"When a great man passed away, we must remember his deeds and we pay honour to that," he said after spending about 10 minutes at Tan's residence, accompanied by the latter's son, Tan Tee Beng and state Gerakan chairperson Teng Chang Yeow.     

Mah said the late Tan had made a big contribution in strengthening the party during his tenure as Penang chairperson.     

He said Tan had also inspired Gerakan to further improve.     

Tan, 76, who suffered a series of strokes last year, passed away late Sunday.     

    

He was the first politician to be appointed as president of a local authority in Peninsular Malaysia when he served as Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) president from 1990-1995 and as Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairperson from 1996 to 1998.     

During his tenure as MPPP president, he built the first indoor stadium in Penang, called Penang International Sports Arena (PISA), now renamed Spice and initiated the relocation of street hawkers to proper hawker centres.     

Tan leaves behind wife Quah Mo Sy, also 76, three sons Tee Yong, 50, Tee Wan, 48, and Tee Beng, 42, and daughter Chin Chin, 41.     

His remains will be cremated at the Batu Gantung crematorium at 11am tomorrow.     

- Bernama