“Online tributes to Chong Eu”

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Online tributes to Chong Eu Posted: 25 Nov 2010 09:30 PM PST Online tributes to Chong Eu Vidoes by Opalyn Mok FORMER chief minister of Penang Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu died on Tuesday, Nov 24. Malaysians continue to pay tributes to the Malaysian legend. Goh Hoe Hoe from Kuala Lumpur: As a Penang-born Malaysian, I feel very sad over the departure of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, a former chief minister of Penang. Dr Lim was one of our most outstanding leaders who did not talk very much but worked very hard for the industrialisation of our country. He showed his unparalleled far-sightedness as a political leader. After the Gerakan wrested power in Penang in 1969, he travelled overseas to invite foreign investors to set up electronic factories in Penang. The electronic factories gave Penang a new lease on life when it lost its free port status. The free trade zone provided ample job opportunities for the people. The setting up of these factories also contributed much to the growth of downstream industries in the country. Apart from that, we also benefited in terms of transfer of technology. I was one of those who benefited from the industrialisation programme initiated by Dr Lim. In the 1980s, chances for young people to further their tertiary education were scarce. However, those who worked in the multinational electronic factories in Penang were given ample opportunities to upgrade their skills and education. While working in National Semiconductor, I took a City and Guild diploma course in electronic engineering conducted by the company and after graduation, was given the opportunity to go to Japan for special technical skill training under an AOTS (Association for Technical Overseas Scholarship) scholarship. I will always remember Dr Lim, not only as the Father of Industrialisation of Penang, but also as the person who played an important role in fostering the early "open university" programme in Malaysia. I only met him once but I was very impressed by his words. He believed that industrialisation was very important to our country because of its multiplying effects. For instance, a factory of 1,000 workers would create another 6,000 job opportunities because the new factory would create demand for food, housing, clothing, education and entertainment. One important thing that we can learn from him is that courage is a dominating factor in initiating changes. Dr Lim also displayed his wisdom as a political leader by joining the Barisan Nasional because he knew the importance of unity and stability in fostering economic development. C.H. Chong from Subang: Penang and Malaysia are the poorer with the death of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. The architect of Penang's transformation from slow-paced idyllic island with trishaws, pensioners and coconut trees to Silicon Island and chipmaker to the world ruled the state with determination and a steady and firm hand. His vision was clear and his course uncharted. But he never wavered despite distractions. No other political leader then or now can match his contributions to Penang which under his stewardship truly lived up to its motto "Penang Leads". Tun Lim, you are irreplaceable. Pathmanathan K. Suppiah: A man who showed Malaysians the way.     This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php Five Filters featured article: Beyond Hiroshima - The Non-Reporting of Falluja's Cancer Catastrophe.

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