Lim Keng Yaik to be cremated on Wednesday

The late Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik's body will be cremated in accordance to a full state funeral on Wednesday, said his son Datuk Lim Si Pin.

He said the cortege would leave his father's home at Tropicana Golf and Country Resort here at 11am before being cremated at the Cheras Crematorium in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking to reporters here today, he said those who wished to pay their last respects to his late father could do so from today until Tuesday, from morning till 9pm.

"After 9pm, we hope everyone would leave as we have prayers to conduct at home," he said.

Keng Yaik passed away at 5.13pm yesterday, leaving behind his wife Toh Puan Wong Yoon Chuan and three children. He was 73.

Hardly able to hold back his tears, Si Pin said that his father had been sick for more than year.

"In fact, last week my family and I planned a family holiday with my parents to Hong Kong but father said he did not want to follow as he could not walk due to severe leg pain.

"But he told us to take the family holiday," he said. Si Pin said for the last two days, Keng Yaik was admitted at the Tropicana Medical Centre for breathing difficulties.

"Yesterday, he called me and told that he was too sick and asked me to return home immediately with my family," he added.

Si Pin said his father's last wish was to die at home, and so in fulfilling this, he was discharged and brought home.

Keng Yaik, who was cabinet minister for 22 years, died peacefully with his family members at his bed side.

His last post in the cabinet was as the Minister of Energy, Water and Telecommunications, from 2004 until 2008.

Si Pin, who is also Gerakan Youth Chief, also expressed worry that there would be no successor as the Chancellor of Wawasan Open University in Penang following his dad's passing.

He said that he could not take over because he is not in the committee. Among prominent people seen visiting the family today were Senate president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang and Tenaga Nasional Berhad chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie, who is also the former chairman of the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak.