Marking a milestone: Lim cutting the cake with Neo. Looking on are (from left) Nga, former Perak assembly speaker S. Sivakumar, DAP life adviser Dr Chen Man Hin, Hui Ming (next to Neo), Ngeh, Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh and Aulong assemblyman Yew Tian Hoe.
Despite it being DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s 70th birthday bash, it was his wife who stole the limelight.
Known for keeping a low profile, Neo Yoke Tee was praised by DAP members for her support and role in her husband’s long political life.
Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming, who was also the organising chairman for the dinner on Friday, got things going by paying tribute to Neo’s support for her husband.
“Although Lim does not look like the romantic type, he carries only her photograph in his wallet,” he said in his speech.
State DAP chairman Ngeh Koo Ham also thanked “Lim Tai Tai” for her understanding and support in her husband’s career.
In a video shown during the dinner, Neo said all that she wanted was to be a simple housewife.
“I didn’t think my husband would be involved in politics. I had no choice but to give him my support,” she said.
The mother of four also revealed she had been worried as Lim would often drive alone to set up DAP branches and when he was first detained under the Internal Security Act in 1969.
Later, Neo, their two daughters Hui Ming and Hui Ying, joined Lim in cutting his birthday cake. Some 800 people turned up for the dinner.
