Slain clown gets ‘colourful’ but teary send-off in Penang
Clowns juggle balls and perform tricks along the way as Choi Hon Ming’s remains are brought to the crematorium.
The 32-year-old Choi was hit by a stray bullet shot by a gunman during Thursday night’s shooting at the coastal expressway here. The incident also claimed the lives of two others and injured five.
In remembrance of Choi’s passing, his family and fellow professional clowns from as far as Kuala Lumpur released 32 balloons into the sky and acted as pallbearers.
The procession was led by Kuala Lumpur Clown Alley (KLCA) president D Ravindran and his best friend and fellow clown Soon Choon Keat.
The clowns juggled balls and performed tricks on the way to the crematorium.
Ravindran, who is better known as ‘Mr Coconut’ in the clown industry, said Choi’s passing was a big loss to the industry.
“Choi is well known around the country for his balloon sculptures. It is his speciality. He is the best I have ever known. Can’t believe he is gone,” he said when met by reporters.
Earlier, Ravindran gave a heartfelt speech together with Choi’s wife, Sun Siew Chin, 32.
“I know you will be in a happier place, I will always love you,” Sun said, causing those present to break into tears.
Choi married Sun in July and was making plans to host a wedding reception next December. Sun is a staff nurse in Saudi Arabia.
As Choi’s body was rolled into the furnace, Choi’s only sister, Poh Peng, 37, screamed her wishes out loud for her late brother.
“Your life is now complete with perfection. Go without worry, bless us all.
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“Be a happy angel up there and bless everyone,” she screamed in Hokkien.