DAP founder member Dason dies aged 70

PENANG: DAP founder member and backroom strategists Peter Paul Dason died after being unwell for the past one year. 

Dason, 70, died at 5.30pm at his apartment in Kelawei Road yesterday. The lawyer had stopped practising about two years ago. 

He leaves behind wife Florence Hilda Toolseram, 70, daughters Augustina, 40, Jean Candida, 34, and Arlene Helena, 32, and son Hugh Barnabas, 39, and four grandchildren. 

His body was taken to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pulau Tikus last night and was expected to lie in wake for a few days before the funeral. 

DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang, who was close to Dason, described him as a “true Malaysian who was dedicated to justice for all”. 

“He was a good politician and his ability to be returned as MP and assemblyman from 1974 to 1990 was testimony to his policy of tenacity and commitment. 

“Dason was one of the backroom strategists and played a key role in the party's three Tanjung battles. The party could count on him when we needed him for advice and to motivate the younger members. We will miss him sorely,” he said.  

State DAP organising secretary Danny Law said Dason had suffered from hypertension and diabetes. 

“I met him recently and he seemed cheerful and well then,” he said. 

Dason had served a total of six terms as MP and assemblyman in Penang. 

He launched his political career in the1969 general election, winning one of the three state seats won by the party. 

Subsequently he served for two terms as Bukit Bendera MP (1974-1978 / 1982-1986), a term each as Air Itam assemblyman (1978-82), Bayan Baru MP (1986-1990) and Bukit Gelugor assemblyman (1990-1995). 

He lost in the 1995 general election, but remained active as adviser to the party in the state. 

State DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said Dason's demise was a great loss to the party as he was one of the few first-generation DAP activists who had contributed much to the first phase of the party's political development.