GEORGE TOWN, Nov 15 — The MCA will undertake the full cost of burial for four family members of Tanjong MCA Youth leader Lim Swee Bok whose mother, wife and children perished in an early morning fire at their house in Pintasan Cecil 5, here.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the decision was taken after discussions with party leaders at the central level.
“MCA will assist Lim to claim the bodies including bearing the cost of burial for his four family members,” he told reporters after visiting Lim at the Penang Hospital Forensic Department here today.
Lim’s family including his wife, Chen Yen, 35, his mother, Lau Sai Poh, 62, his son Lim Yin Chun, 9, and daughter Lim Jia Yiin, 8, died in 6.45am incident.
Earlier, Chong who is the Deputy Education Minister said the process of claiming the body of Lim’s wife would take longer as Chen Yen was a Chinese national.
“I am now in contact with the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia to obtain a letter of confirmation for Chen Yen to enable the hospital to release her body,” he said.
Meanwhile, state MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said during the incident Swee Bok was working night shift and was not at home.
“Swee Bok who is an engineer in a factory in Bayan Lepas rushed home upon receiving the tragic news about his family,” he said adding that Swee Bok was still too traumatised to be interviewed.
“I hope media practitioners will give him a bit of space,” he said.
The remains of Lim’s four family members had been claimed this evening and the mourning ceremony will be held at Block 42A, Sri Saujana, Gat Lebuh Macallum, for five days. — Bernama
