Lim Keng Yaik
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| Yang Berbahagia Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik |
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Malaysian Minister of Energy, Water and Telecommunications
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| In office 14 February 2006 – 13 February 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Unknown |
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| Succeeded by | Shaziman Abu Mansor |
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Member of Parliament for Beruas
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| In office 24 March 2004 – 13 February 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Unknown |
| Succeeded by | Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP) |
| Constituency | Beruas |
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President of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia
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| In office 1980 – 8 April 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu |
| Succeeded by | Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (acting) |
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| Born | 8 April 1939  Perak |
| Political party | Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM or GERAKAN), part of Barisan Nasional |
| Children | Lim Si Pin |
| Occupation | Medical doctor Member of Parliament Cabinet Minister |
| Religion | Buddhist |
Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik (Chinese: 林敬益; pinyin: Lín Jìngyì) is a former Malaysian politician and ex-Minister of Energy, Water and Telecommunications in the Malaysian cabinet. He was the national president of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia since 1980 before stepping down on April 8, 2007 to pave the way for Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. He is also among the only four Chinese Tunship living holders in Malaysia.
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[edit] Background
Lim was born on April 8, 1939 in Perak. He graduated from The Queens University of Belfast with a MB.BCh.BAO. in 1964.
Ironically, Lim is a heavy Salem smoker despite his medical background, with his per-day quota exceeding those of ex-smoker and former Malaysian Chinese politician colleague, Dr Ling Liong Sik.
Lim is known for his sharp humour among journalist.
[edit] Political career
Dr. Lim began his foray into politics in 1968 by joining the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). He subsequently contested in the Pekan Baru state seat in Perak in 1969 on an Alliance ticket, but lost.
In 1971, he became the chairman of MCA Perak and was made senator for a six year term. However, in 1973, Dr. Lim was expelled from the MCA after going against the then MCA president Tun Tan Siew Sin and in the same year joined Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan).
He became the Ulu Kinta Gerakan division head the next year and moved up to become Perak Gerakan head in 1974. In 1976, he became the party's deputy president. In July 1978, Lim resigned as senator and contested in the 1978 Perak General Elections in the Jalong state seat in Perak, which he won narrowly.
In 1980, the medical doctor-turned-politician became the Gerakan President. For the first three terms as the party head, he faced challenges and successfully defended the position at every party election since then. He contested the Beruas Parliament seat in 1986 and won by a handsome margin.
Until today, Dr. Lim represents the people of Beruas in the district of Manjung, Perak as a member of the Barisan Nasional which Malaysia ruling coalition. In the last Malaysia general election held in 2004, he maintained his seat with a clear majority of 4,564 with a total registered voter count of 15,867.
[edit] Cabinet position
Lim first became a minister in the Malaysian cabinet when he was made Minister with Special Functions dealing with New Villages and Emergency work in 1972. However, he resigned from the post the very next year as a protest against the expulsion of the MCA reform movement leaders at the time. He was then booted out of the MCA for it, where he subsequently joined Gerakan.
He made a Cabinet comeback as Minister of Primary Industries on 1986 and served in the position until 2004, when he was appointed Minister of Energy, Water and Communications.
[edit] Retirement
In September 2, 2005 at the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia 35th Annual National Delegates Conference dinner, Dr. Lim announced that he will be retiring as President in April 8, 2007, which is also his 68th birthday. Lim retired from his Cabinet post shortly before the 2008 general election.
He avowed to no longer comment on issues of the Party unless he was asked by the press. But he has in turn disregarded it and commented on a wide range of issues regarding the party, including the succession of the Penang Chief Minister position, and the more recent ousting of a party member that is working under the new opposition state government. These actions have drawn the ire of many within the party that is seeing his meddling in party affairs a cause in the continual deterioration of the party's support. [1]
