GEORGE TOWN: The sad tragedy which befell Lim Swee Bok, where four of his family members were killed in a fire in Pengkalan Weld late last year, has not stopped him from continuing his political battle in the 14th General Election (GE14).
The 37-year-old Barisan Nasional candidate for the Pengkalan Kota state seat said that the incident would not break his spirit to continue to serve the party and the people.
He urged voters not to be sympathetic but instead evaluate candidates on what they had to offer.
“I must admit that the incident has impacted me emotionally during this campaigning period. It is not easy for me to face but my brother, friends and team have motivated me to continue the battle.
“I do not touch on the incident , and I certainly do not want to use it to get sympathy votes. They should see what I can offer the community,” he said in an exclusive interview with NSTP today.
On November 16 last year, his two children Lim Jia Yiin, 8, Lim Yin Chun, 9, wife Chen Yen, 35 and mother Lau Sai Poh, 62, perished in an early morning fire at their double-storey house at Pintasan Cecil 5, Pengkalan Weld here.
It was believed that the victims were sleeping on the upper floor in the 6am incident and did not realise the fire had spread quickly.
The remains of Chen Yen and Yin Chun were found near the toilet at the lower floor near the kitchen while Sai Poh was found at the living room. Jia Yiin was at his room on the upper floor.
Swee Bok, or more fondly known as Ah Bok, said he had the opportunity to visit his wife’s grave a day before the announcement of Penang BN candidates on April 23.
“I visited and prayed to her, seeking for strength to continue the struggle for GE14, and it was coincidentally her birthday anniversary.
“Since then I have not been able to visit the grave as I am giving my full attention to GE14, but I hope I can have their blessings for my struggles,” he added.