Friday, 14 September 2007

Lim Chin Siong, the man who was nearly our PM - Part 9


Remembering Lim Chin Siong

" A Merdeka rally was organised to press for more freedom. It was held at the old Kallang Airport, at the site of the present headquarters of the Peoples Association. Halfway through the rally, the stage collapsed, causing panic and confusion as the crowds surged forward, screaming and shouting. It was near panic. Suddenly, I saw a slim figure climbing up on a van, carrying a microphone and commanding the crowd to sit still. Order prevailed, the crowd sat down, and a disaster was averted. The young man who controlled the crowd was Lim Chim Siong; it was an impressive performance."

- A. Mahadeva

" I was the first person to rush to his house when I heard that he had suffered a heart attack which ended his life. He was 63, and still quite young. He was a loyal friend to many people. That was why when he passed away, there was such an outpouring of grief, eventhough he had left the political scene for so long. Even his former political opponents came to his wake, including S. Rajaretnam and several former cabinet ministers. He was a rare political phenomenon, selfless and dedicated, not for his personal advancement, but for the general good. He will long be remembered as a staunch anti-colonial fighter."

- A. Mahadeva

A. Mahadeva was a former journalist with the Singapore Standard and the Straits Times during the 1950s and 1960s.

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