KY — a born leader dies at 73

Great loss: A vehicle from the Xiao En Bereavement Home entering the home of the late Dr Lim (inset) in Tropicana Golf and Country Club.

PETALING JAYA: Everyone in Gerakan knew that Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, 73, had not been well the last two years. But the man who had lived such a public life in politics was incredibly private about the cancer that eventually claimed his life at about 4.45pm yesterday.

It is not certain when he discovered the cancer but when the former Cabinet minister retired from politics in 2007, he was already grappling with prostrate problems about which he used to crack “man jokes”.