MELAKA: Former DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock died at his home in Taman Kenanga Seksyen 3 at 6.10pm today.
Kerk, who was also a former Kota Melaka member of parliament (MP), died after undergoing thrombolytic therapy (a procedure to dissolve blood clot) for three days at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
His son Kerk Chee Yee said his father suffered from bleeding in his brain and slipped into coma after an operation.
He said his father had to undergo the therapy on Sunday as he was suffering from Deep Vein Thrombosis (formation of a blood clots within a deep veins).
"The operation was successful but one of the possible risks which was communicated to us was internal bleeding, which was in his brain, hours after the operation.
"The bleeding in his brain had caused him to be in coma.
"My mother, my sister and I were by his side when he died. We thank everyone for your support and encouragement throughout his battle against his illness all these while," he said.
Chee Yee said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Kim Hock held was DAP secretary-general from 1999 to 2004 and the Durian Daun assemblyman from 1986 to 1990.
He was also MP for Pasir Pinji (now Ipoh Timur) and Kota Melaka in 1990 and 1999, respectively.
He lost his Kota Melaka seat in the 2004 general election and retired from politics in the same year.