The country’s first local Royal Malaysian Navy chief Rear-Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri K. Thanabalasingam paid tribute to the late Toh Puan Catherine Lim Cheng Neo, wife of former MCA president Tun Tan Siew Sin, recalling fond memories of the couple.

He said he personally knew the couple, and spent some time with them, especially when Tan was Finance Minister.

“As navy chief, I had to work with him particularly to construct the new naval base in Lumut when there were plans to shift from Woodlands in Singapore.

“And often Toh Puan would accompany Tun to formal functions, at the Istana Negara or Parliament House.. The couple attended a lot of naval functions at bases, too, and I was often invited to their Chinese New Year open house.

“Toh Puan was a very sweet lady, hospitable, caring and considerate, and always invited me although she knew of my busy schedule,” said Thanabalasingam, 80.

He added that after Tan died, he had very little contact with Toh Puan owing to his own poor health.

“I recall the prime minister (Tun Abdul Razak Hussain) having a lot of respect and trust in Tun Tan and Toh Puan.

He would often consult Tun Tan before a project is undertaken,” said Thanabalasingam.

Major (Rtd) Anthony Joseph Lim Seng Soon , 85, said he knew the couple from the days they were very active campaigning during the first Malayan election.

“At that time, I was serving with the Army and as a senior officer often bumped into them.

“One funny thing I instantly can recall, is that both Toh Puan and Tun often spoke Malay as they were not fluent in Chinese as they were Baba Nyonyas.

“Toh Puan was a very friendly and a cordial lady,” said Lim, who also knew Tun’s father Tun Tan Cheng Lock.-nst