Early on Monday morning, the legendary Jonker Walk night market's creator and Malaysia's “father of bodybuilding” passed away (Aug 15).
The 85-year-old Datuk Gan Boon Leong served as state executive councillor and head of the MCA in Melaka.
At 1.30 am on Monday, his son, Datuk Gan Tian Loo, confirmed that his father had passed away (Aug 15).
According to Tian Loo, his father was receiving care for a weak heart at a local hospital but was released on Sunday (Aug. 14) in the late afternoon.
“He was brought to this care facility, where he passed away early this morning.
“People can pay their respects by visiting his body at his workplace on Jonker Street.
Tian Loo stated to Bernama on Monday, “He will be buried this Friday, August 19, in Bekok in Tangkak, Johor.
In addition to being involved in politics, Gan was a skilled bodybuilder who held office as vice-president of the Asian Bodybuilding Federation and vice-president of the Asian Powerlifting Federation. Gan was also elected president of the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation.
In particular in Melaka, he was active in associations for boxing and taekwondo.
Boon Leong, who was born on Aug 25, 1937, leaves behind a wife, Datin Chong Kin Yock, and seven children.