The Extra-ordinary Family Man and Animal lover
Mr Lim was a private man, who kept his 6
children out of political life. He was also
known as a “cleaner” by his eldest child Lim
Kiat Seng as Mr Lim Kim San cleaned up
many ministries and refreshed them.
He was a man of integrity and fairness, and
believed that charity began at home. He contributed almost half of his money to
charity and contributed his money generously to people of all walks of life.
Many of his grandchildren and children were scolded and picked on by teachers.
The teachers were unhappy over some of Lim Kim San’s policies and thus
vented their anger on his children. Lim Kim San just fired those teachers who
abused his children and grandchildren as he believed in fairness.
Lim was a very kind but very stern family man. He never hit his children but his
children were afraid of him. If his children were late for dinner, he would just ask
the servants to clear all the dishes and made his children starve. From these
incidents onwards, his children were never ever late for dinner.
He was also particular about his children’s studies and if his children had
achieved high marks, he would generously buy anything his children wanted and
he spoilt his grandchildren by showering them with love.
He also taught his children to be thrift and had strict allowances. He would not
allow his children to buy slippers that cost more than $10 as he bought leather
slippers for himself at the same price. He always put his family first after politics.
Lim Kiat Seng was a passionate animal lover for he had golden retrievers, a
Pomeranian, a Chihuahua, a mynah, a kite and four kois The first thing hat he did
was to feed his kois when he got home from work.
Lim Kim San died from pneumonia and old age on 20 th July 2006 at the age of
89, 4 months before his 90th birthday. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by
his favourite koi fish, his family and the fond memories of his late wife, Pang Gek
Kim who died in 1994.