Chairman of Eu Yan Sang dies

MR JOSEPH Eu, chairman of traditional Chinese medicine chain Eu Yan Sang International, died on Saturday after a major blood vessel in his back ruptured.

Mr Eu, 80, was found to have an aneurysm - a bulge in a blood vessel caused by weakened walls - about two years ago, said eldest daughter Joanne Eu.

But the family decided against removal surgery because he had other medical conditions which could result in complications.

Ms Eu, 31, a television producer, said: 'The doctors said he would be good for a few more years, so we didn't want to take the risk.'

On Friday, Mr Eu fainted in his Kuala Lumpur home after complaining of pain in his back.

The family took him to the hospital, where he died at about 1am on Saturday.

Ms Eu said: 'He was a very loving man, and very open, not your typical Asian father. I'll miss his hugs, his smiles, his jokes, everything.

'Fortunately, the whole family came back in time before Daddy left.'

Her three younger siblings, who live in Australia and Britain, had returned to the family home for Easter.

Mr Eu is the cousin of the Eu Yan Sang chief executive officer Richard Eu, and managing director, Clifford Eu.

The family business - which spans across Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong - was founded in 1879 by Mr Richard Eu's great-grandfather, Eu Kong.

A company spokesman said that as chairman - a non-executive position - Mr Eu played mainly an advisory role and that his death would not affect the company's day-to-day operations.

Mr Eu leaves behind his wife Anne, 52, four children and two grandchildren.

A service will be held at the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Kuala Lumpur at 10am today, and his cortege will leave at 11am for Gui Yuen Crematorium in Petaling Jaya.