Helping party to regain lost ground in Negri Sembilan

PETALING JAYA: He has a PhD and a catchy Christian name, he runs his family’s business empire and he is also the youngest state MCA chairman in the country.

Datuk Seri Dr King Lim Chin Fui (pic ), 37, took over the Negri Sembilan MCA chairman post from MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong about a year ago in what was seen as an injection of new blood in the state leadership.

Dr Lim or King, as he is known to his friends, now faces the daunting task of reviving the party’s prospects in the next general election.

“The downside is facing an uphill battle after losing all the seats we contested in the last general election.

“But having hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up.

“We nearly closed shop, but it is time to be born again,” he said.

The Australia and British-educated Dr Lim said people cannot be forced to change their mind overnight about political issues, but he believes they can be persuaded by MCA’s policy of service and community work.

But, he lauded Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Hasan for his open attitude towards MCA and the Chinese.

“He is not into punishing or revenge. He shares my approach that we need to continue to serve the community,” said the father of two.

Despite his youth and relative inexperience, he managed to work with the different factions in the state MCA.

“I regard everybody as people I can learn from and I show them respect. I also believe in delegating power and letting each division have its say,” Dr Lim said.

His late father Datuk Lim Lee Seng was a self-made millionaire who founded the Seng Group, which is into plantations, property development and owns one of the biggest petrol station network in the country.

“My father did a lot of good work for the needy and left a good name for us,” said Dr Lim, who is also a MCA central committee member and Teluk Kemang division chairman.