Dato’ Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik (林敬益) is a Malaysian politician and the Minister of Energy, Water and Telecommunications in the Malaysia Cabinet. He was the national president of Party Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia since 1980 before stepping down on April 8, 2007 to pave the way for Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Background

Lim was born on April 8. 1939 in Perak. He graduated from The Queens University of Belfast with a MB.BCh.Bao. in 1964.

Ironically, Lim is a heavy Salem smoker despite his medical background, with his per-day quota exceeding those of ex-smoker and former Malaysian politician politician colleague, Dr Ling Liong Sek

Lim is known for his sharp humour among journalist.

Political Career

Dr. Lim began his foray into politics in 1968 by joining theMalaysian Chinese Association (MCA). He subsequently contested in the Pekan Baru state seat in Perak in 1969 on an Alliance ticket, but lost.

In 1971, he became the chairman of MCA Perak and was made senator for a six year term. However, in 1973, Dr. Lim was expelled from the MCA after going against the then MCA president Tun Tan Siew Sin and in the same year joined Party Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan).

He became the Ulu Kinta Gerakan division head the next year and moved up to become Perak Gerakan head in 1974. In 1976, he became the party’s deputy president. In July 1978, Lim resigned as senator and contested in the 1978 Perak General Elections in the Jalong state seat in Perak, which he won narrowly.

In 1980, the medical doctor-turned-politician became the Gerakan President. For the first three terms as the party head, he faced challenges and successfully defended the position at every party election since then. He contested the Beruas Parliament seat in 1986 and won by a handsome margin.

Until today, Dr. Lim represents the people of Beruas in the district of Manjung, Perak as a member of the Barisan Nasional which Malaysia ruling coalition. In the last Malaysia general election held in 2004, he maintained his seat with a clear majority of 4,564 with a total registered voter count of 15,867.

Cabinet position

Lim first became a minister in the Malaysia Cabinet when he was made Minister with Special Functions dealing with New Villages and Emergency work in 1972. However, he resigned from the post the very next year as a protest against the expulsion of the MCA reform movement leaders at the time. He was then booted out of the MCA for it, where he subsequently joined Gerakan.

He made a Cabinet comeback as Minister of Primary Industries on 1986 and served in the position until 2004, when he was appointed Minister of Energy, Water and Communications.

Retirement

In September 2, 2005 at the Party Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia 35th Annual National Delegates Conference dinner, Dr. Lim announced that he will be retiring as President in April 8, 2007, which is also his 68th birthday.