I wish to express deep sorrow when I was informed that Penang’s longest-serving Chief Minister Tun Dato Seri Utama Dr Lim Chong Eu passed away at 9.07pm. I am presently on a business networking trip in Hong Kong.
I was informed of Tun’s passing by Tun’s son Lim Chien Cheng at 9.34pm. I had immediately extended the Penang state government’s deepest condolences to Lim Chien Cheng and his family. I was also told by Tun’s personal physician, Dato Seri Dr Lim, that Tun was released from Penang General Hospital earlier in the day when his condition deteriorated and passed away at his home in Tanjung Bungah.
I will be returning home from Hong Kong to Penang the next day and will make an official statement on my return.