The Penang government today held a memorial service and expressed its deepest appreciation to the late Anthony Kevin Morais for his 29-year service in the Malaysian judicial and legal service.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expressed his condolences to Kevin's grieving family and presented a souvenir to his brother Richard Morais, who received it on behalf of his family.

Others who gave sentimental speeches in honour of Kevin were state legal adviser Aliza Sulaiman, Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang and Penang Bar committee representative Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor.

Lim said the resolve to combat corruption in ‘all its evil form’ would be strengthened if the motive for Kevin's tragic death could be proven to be linked to a corruption case he was handling.

"However, this can be best achieved through leadership by example," said the DAP secretary-general.

"The battle against corruption can only succeed if there is political will from the very top leaders like myself who has to demonstrate by dint of effort and actions of integrity," he added.

"There can be no room for acts of bribery or misuse of public positions or power for the fulfilment of selfish motives or to gain personal gratifications," he said.

"One must not take bribes not only when people are looking but even when others do not see," he added.

'I was devastated'

Lim said Kevin has something to say to everyone in his death.

"His job here is done. For the rest of us, we have to pick up the gauntlet and carry on with the duties and responsibilities entrusted upon us with utmost integrity," said the Bagan MP.

"By doing so, Kevin's sacrifices for the nation will not be in vain," added Lim, who is also Air Putih assemblyperson.

On Sept 16, Kevin’s remains were found in a cemented drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur.

On Sept 28, six men were charged with Kevin's murder, while two others, including a military doctor, were accused of abetting the offence.

State assistant legal adviser Janariah Abdul Mutalib gave a teary speech about her memorable experience working with Kevin when he was DPP and after he was seconded to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

She may not be very close to Kevin, but Janariah said he was a team player and very helpful to his colleagues.

"When we heard about his death, I was devastated and I cried.

"Kevin had no enemies; he never even scolded his subordinates," Janariah said between sobs.

'A loving friend'

"When we heard he was missing, I texted him to ask ‘where are you?’.

"We may be of different religions but nothing he did lessened our respect for him," Janariah said.

During Janariah's speech, the soundtrack of the movie Titanic, ‘My heart will go on’, by Celine Dion, played softly in the background.

She also dedicated a poem to Kevin, which ended with the words, ‘Fly safely, Sir, and let it all go.’

"You will always be remembered dearly as a loving friend, colleague and superior."