DAP man who designed party's rocket logo passes away

PETALING JAYA: The creator of DAP's rocket logo, Goh Hock Guan (pic), passed away on March 29 at the age of 83.

Goh was the DAP founding secretary-general and the founder of the architecture firm Goh Hock Guan and Associates.

He leaves behind son Dr Goh Poh Sun and daughter Goh Li Lin.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, who first met the Kedah-born Goh 50 years ago, said he was an outspoken politician and commended his bravery.

"He was a professional architect then. At the time, it was difficult for professionals to participate in politics."

The DAP national treasurer said it took a lot of courage to fight for the rights of the people.

"I respect him for that," he added, noting that Goh once won the Bungsar (now Bangsar) parliamentary constituency.

In addition to his friendships with political heavyweights such as Singapore's late founding father Lee Kuan Yew, Goh reportedly had the ear of former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and was once courted to join Barisan Nasional, as they both believed in a multi-racial approach to politics.

His design of DAP's rocket logo had four boosters, which were meant to signify the Malays, Chinese, Indians and the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

Before parting ways with the party in 1974 to join Gerakan, he had led DAP to win 13 parliamentary seats in the 1969 general election.

Goh stepped down as DAP secretary-general after just one year, following the May 13, 1969 riots.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang went on to fill that role until 1999.

Most of the DAP and former DAP leaders contacted had declined to respond, indicative of Goh's strained ties with the opposition party.

Goh, who was also chairman and founder of Akitek Jururancang (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, was responsible for building the iconic revolving restaurant at the Federal Hotel, which he designed to celebrate the country's independence in 1957.

His other designs include Mid Valley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid, and he did the town planning for major projects such as Subang Jaya, Putrajaya and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Goh's wake will be held from April 2-3 from 5pm onwards at Level 1 Grand Hall, Xiao En Centre, No.1, Jalan Kuari, off Jalan Cheras in Kuala Lumpur.

The funeral ceremony will start at 10am on April 4, followed by cremation at Xiao En Crematorium in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.