GEORGE TOWN: Former three-term Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lee Hack Teik would fondly be remembered as "lei hai tak" by locals, which refers to him as "you-can-do-it" in Cantonese.
MCA member Lee, who passed away at 72 on Monday (Nov 18) due to a heart attack, was honoured for his dedication with a large crowd gathered at his funeral on Friday (Nov 22).
The party's flag was draped over the coffin to honour him before the presence of over 200 guests including close friends and family members at his residence in Air Itam, before the cortege left for the Batu Gantung Crematorium in Jalan Batu Gantung nearby at about 2pm.
Penang MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said the party's flag symbolised a gesture of respect for Lee's contributions.
"The flag is a mark of higher respect from the party, and we deeply mourn the loss of such a dedicated stalwart," he said.
Reflecting on Lee's legacy, Tan said his unwavering dedication to the community during his tenure as assemblyman from 1995 to 2008 was unmatched.
"He rode his motorcycle daily, tirelessly reaching out to his constituents without fail.
"He would personally engage with the people, navigating the streets and neighbourhoods to stay connected with the grassroots.
"His knew the constituency like the back of his hand, showcasing his deep-rooted bond with the community.
"It perfectly symbolised his hands-on and no-nonsense approach to serving his constituents," Tan added.
Lee, who won the state seat in the 1995, 1999, and 2004 state polls, was known for using catchy slogans during election campaigns to reach the largely Hokkien-speaking community.
He once used the phrase "ang koo lak liap" (six red glutinous rice cakes) in Hokkien or "an ju le ye" (Mandarin for harmonious life and successful career).
Another campaign phrase he used was “huat kueh pek tay”, which means “eight pieces of prosperity cakes” but also sounds like “to prosper and buy land” in Hokkien.
Despite his age, Lee also came out to lend his support for MCA's candidate for the Tanjong parliamentary seat, Tan Kim Nee, during the 2022 General Election.
Pengkalan Kota is one of the three state seats under the Tanjong parliamentary constituency.
