Former senior member of the Penang Bar, Peter Oon Peh Tchin passed away early this morning at the age of 83 after a brief illness. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Bessie Lee who is also a fellow member of the Bar, their 3 daughters Pamela, Beryl and Petra, sons–in–law, grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
Peter Oon comes from a distinguished family of lawyers. His mother, the late Lim Beng Hong better known as Mrs BH Oon was the first Asian lady lawyer to be admitted to practice law in the Straits Settlement, as it was then, in 1927. His youngest daughter Petra held the post of Penang Bar Chairman from 2002 to 2004 and she was also the first lady to do so.
Peter Oon was admitted as a Barrister at Law by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in 1956 and thereafter returned to Penang to practice law in his family’s legal practice. He remained in the firm of “Lim, Lim & Oon” before retiring as Consultant in 2008. The firm today exists under its new name of “Yuslinov Ahmad & Petra Oon”. He served as Chairman of the Penang Bar Committee from 1976–1977 and has held advisory posts with various organisations and non–legal bodies.
The Malaysian Bar extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Peter Oon. May his soul rest in peace.
Selvi Neelakandan
Executive Director, Penang Bar Committee