Zahid Pays His Last Respects To His Chinese Adoptive Mother
The Deputy Prime Minister visited his adoptive mother on the second day of Chinese New Year last month.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 16 Feb 2023, 11:08 AM
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi paid his last respects to his adoptive mother, Cheah Seoh Lian, who passed away on Sunday, 12 February
According to Bernama, the 83-year-old died in her sleep at her house in Bagan Datuk, Perak, at 11am.
During his visit, Zahid spent about 20 minutes at the deceased's residence in Taman Desa Bersatu, Hutan Melintang.
He was seen comforting his close friend, Cheah's 60-year-old son, Beh Song Wan, whose nickname is 'Bujang'.
The 70-year-old Bagan Datuk member of parliament (MP) said his close relationship with the deceased and her six children spanned decades, adding that he considered them as his family
"I have lost my adoptive mother. The last time I saw her was the second day of Chinese New Year, I managed to spend time eating and chatting with her," he told reporters.
The Deputy Prime Minister said he cherishes the relationship with the family, hence he urged Malaysians to have mutual respect regardless of religion, race, and culture to maintain harmony.
"We follow the sunnah (traditions) of Rasulullah SAW (Prophet Muhammad) in respecting other religions. And I am confident that if we can maintain and improve this harmony, then cross-culturalism among the people in Malaysia is not just about respecting (each other), but understanding different religions, cultures, and races.
"This is the key to harmony among the people in the country," he said.
Cheah's 54-year-old daughter, Gina Beh Jiou Kim, said her mother had been in good health and only complained of a stomachache before her passing.
She will be buried in the Chinese cemetery at Batu 18, Kuala Bikam, today, 16 February.
Zahid always visited his adoptive mother during Chinese New Year, and was once photographed by the press when he was having a family dinner with Cheah in 2017
Utusan Malaysia reported that Zahid continued the tradition this year by visiting Cheah on 23 January, where he was seen tossing yee sang with the family.
"For 30 years, every time Chinese New Year was celebrated, he (Zahid) would definitely visit me and my family members.
"I am happy with his presence and our relationship is like siblings. Not to mention my mother, Cheah Seoh Lian, is his adoptive mother," said Zahid's close friend, Beh.
Growing up, Zahid had a close relationship to the Chinese community. In a 2015 Malay Mail report, he was quoted as saying that he has a Chinese foster father, whom he sold ice-cream with from Primary One to Primary Six.
Zahid tossing yee sang with Cheah and Beh on 23 January.
Image via Zulfachri Zulkifli/Utusan Malaysia