Lee concludes a chapter on safety and health

A SIGNIFICANT chapter on the upscaling of safety and health issues in Malaysia has been concluded with the retirement, after 27 years, of Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic) as chairman of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Lee had dedicated his life to prove right once again the maxim that safety does not happen by accident, but by thought, action, passion and compassion

After his last day in office, members of his staff hosted an appreciation dinner for him during which they bid him an emotional farewell. It was also announced then that the NIOSH’s Dewan Cempaka will be re-named after him and that a gallery will be established to showcase his contributions to the cause.

Until now, the first name that comes to mind when safety and health issues are mentioned in Malaysia is that of Lee who has also penned numerous letters to the media on the importance of ensuring safety in the workplace and the right of employees to have a healthy work environment.

I am sure Lee will not be content to rest on his laurels but will continue to cast his critical eye and comment on dangerous and unhealthy practices and habits that Malaysians are wont to embrace when vigilance is wanting or lax.

It is noteworthy, however, that his successor at NIOSH has yet to be named. Whoever is eventually appointed by Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran to take over has big shoes to fill.

He or she must be knowledgeable and have the time and make the effort to not only chair meetings but to make onsite visits and make grassroots contacts so that the message and practice gets around and to the ground.

In appointing the successor, no doubt Kulasegaran will also give credit where credit is due through some suitable formal gesture or an accompanying note diplomatique.

Lee joined NIOSH as a director when the agency was established in 1992. He was appointed chairman in 1994.

PHILIP MATHEWS Kuala Lumpur

Note: The writer is a former newspaper editor who came to know Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye in the course of his work.