Despite the scorching hot weather, the air at the late Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik's residence, where his body had remained since he passed away last Saturday, has a somber chill to it.
Hundreds of people, mostly family, friends and members of Gerakan, the party that Lim had helmed for 27 years, started arriving here as early as 7am to pay their last respects to the elder statesman.
Although not many were seen shedding tears, the melancholy demeanor of the entire service was not missed especially when his son Datuk Lim Si Pin, who is also Gerakan Youth chief, delivered his eulogy.
In the 15 minutes long eulogy Lim recalled fond memories of his late father, and described him as a great man who was dedicated to his work and family.
"My father always pays attention to details. When he was made minister with Special Functions dealing with New Villages and Emergency work in 1972, he brought back tonnes of reading materials from the ministry and would read until midnight to better understand the needs under his ministry.
"When he was the Energy, Water and Communications portfolio in 2004, he did the same. He wanted to know how he could make the ministry and industry world class.
"He was selfless and always put himself last. He was also a loyalist. Many of his staff have worked for him for 20 to 30 years. Not only that, when he became a minister, he was given a car with the number '3311'. The number still remains in our family," he said.
On a lighter note, Lim made those who present smile fondly when he recalled how cheeky his father, who is known for his wit, can get.
"My father always plays practical jokes on people to teach them a lesson. But his intention was good.
"Once, a policeman guarding our house left his machine gun and went out for a while. My dad took the machine gun and hid it.
"The policeman returned and panicked upon seeing his machine gun disappeared.
"When he told my father he lost his gun, my father told him, 'Young man, you are guarding our house. Please remember to keep your gun with you at all times," he said.
The procession carrying Tun Lim Keng Yaik's body moved from his residence to the Cheras Crematorium at 10.55am for a state funeral.
T K Letchumy Tamboo
Wed Dec 26 2012
Langkah menoktahkan kemiskinan tegar di Sabah antara tumpuan Dewan Rakyat
Ahli Parlimen Kinabatangan, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin meminta Menteri Ekonomi menyatakan langkah tersebut pada sesi jawab lisan.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta pastikan kemampanan sektor air
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air.
[INFOGRAFIK] Tarikh-tarikh penting Istiadat Pertabalan Yang Di-Pertuan Agong ke-17
Berikut adalah info berkenaan dengan tarikh-tarikh penting Istiadat Pertabalan Yang Di-Pertuan Agong ke-17
Menendez didapati bersalah ke atas 16 pertuduhan rasuah
Juri di Mahkamah Persekutuan Manhattan membacakan keputusannya pada Selasa selepas berbincang selama lebih 12 jam selama tiga hari.
Tindakan keras terhadap penjualan racun makhluk perosak haram - CAP
CAP menggesa Lembaga Racun Makhluk Perosak segera mengambil tindakan keras terhadap penjualan racun makhluk perosak haram di negara ini dan menguatkuasakan dengan tegas Akta Racun Perosak 1974.
SDG: UTP lahir pelajar berkemahiran, tinggi tanggungjawab sosial
UTP berhasrat mendidik pelajar bukan sahaja untuk mahir dalam aspek teknikal tetapi juga untuk menjadi warganegara yang bertanggungjawab dari segi kemahiran dan keupayaan sosial.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya, seperti mahkamah syariah, pegawai penguatkuasa agama dan peguam syarie.
Kerajaan teliti kaedah baharu lantikan tetap
Kerajaan sedang meneliti kaedah baharu lantikan tetap bagi memastikan pengurusan kewangan negara yang lebih mampan.
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Wilayah Persekutuan), Dr Zaliha Mustafa berkata hasil kajian tersebut akan dibentangkan kepada Jemaah Menteri untuk pertimbangan dan kelulusan.
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Wilayah Persekutuan), Dr Zaliha Mustafa berkata hasil kajian tersebut akan dibentangkan kepada Jemaah Menteri untuk pertimbangan dan kelulusan.
PDRM gerak unit skuba forensik, K9 cari bukti hari ini
Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) akan menggerakkan unit skuba (Unit Forensik) serta Unit Anjing Pengesan (K9) ke lokasi penemuan mayat Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah, 25, di Kampung Sri Kledang, Hulu Selangor, pagi esok.
Timbalan Ketua Polis Daerah Hulu Selangor DSP Mohd Asri Mohd Yunus ketika dihubungi Bernama berkata proses mencari bahan bukti akan dimulakan sekitar jam 9 pagi di kawasan parit berhampiran ladang kelapa sawit berkenaan.
Timbalan Ketua Polis Daerah Hulu Selangor DSP Mohd Asri Mohd Yunus ketika dihubungi Bernama berkata proses mencari bahan bukti akan dimulakan sekitar jam 9 pagi di kawasan parit berhampiran ladang kelapa sawit berkenaan.
Dewan Rakyat: Langkah meknoktahkan kemisikan tegar di Sabah antara tumpuan hari ini
Langkah-langkah untuk meknoktahkan kemiskinan tegar di Sabah terutamanya di lapan daerah yang dikategorikan termiskin di Malaysia antara tumpuan persidangan Dewan Rakyat hari ini.
Nik Aziz pernah menangis dengar lagu 'Mentari Merah Di Ufuk Timur' - Amy Search
Ikuti nostalgia peribadi ketika penyanyi terkenal Amy Search bertemu tokoh ikon negeri Kelantan ini.
Mawi 'World' masih ingat lawak 'Urdu' Allahyarham Nik Aziz
Mawi berkongsi kisah menarik ketika dia berkesempatan melawat Allahyarham di hospital baru-baru ini.
Nik Aziz selamat disemadikan
Allahyarham Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat selamat disemadikan pada jam 11 pagi tadi di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Pulau Melaka, hari ini.