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SENIOR lawyer S. Raveentharan has called on the authorities to enhance fire safety and security standards in all commercial premises in Penang.
This follows the untimely death of veteran lawyer Datuk G. San Markan in a deadly blaze yesterday.
"Let the death of San be an impetus to improve our fire safety standard, especially in buildings within the George Town World Heritage Site," said Raveentharan.
The 88-year-old San was found in a chair near a window and the cause of death is believed to be from smoke inhalation.
Extending his condolences to the family and to the legal fraternity, Raveentharan said that San was a soft spoken lawyer, who was a mentor to many other legal practitioners.
San was also a family friend to former DAP chairman, the late Datuk Seri Karpal Singh, who also died tragically in a road accident some 12-years ago.
He was also revered by DAP founding member Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, a close party comrade of the late Karpal.
San died together with his long-serving clerk Chandra Binwani Jiwatram, 60, in a blaze that broke out at a two-storey office inside a pre - war shophouse yesterday.
Firefighters found him near a window, still seated on a chair.
It was noted that their response time was also impaired by a congestion leading to the office at Lebuh King, which is in the heart of the George Town heritage zone.
He leaves behind a son Anand, 58, and two grandchildren.
Penang Bar Committee chairman Gowri Subbayah said San was a respected member of the legal community, and whose loss would be deeply felt.
“Karpal and San shared a bond and mutual respect that endured throughout the years. The Penang Bar has lost a senior lawyer. His presence, generosity and contributions will be dearly missed,” she said.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo said San was a family friend whom he had known since he was young, and had also been his late father’s student, making the loss personal.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, the younger brother of Jagdeep, said: “San was a very close friend of my late father and often reminisced about him when we spoke. He was always there for me personally, whether I needed advice or guidance, or just a light-hearted conversation. Uncle San was a good man. I am deeply saddened by his passing and will miss him dearly.”
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow extended his condolences to the victims’ families and said the state would cooperate with the relevant agencies, especially with the state fire and rescue department to ensure a detailed investigation is carried out.
He also said the state would consider steps to improve safety in old buildings and other high-risk areas.
Meanwhile, some lawyers pointed out that a comprehensive safety audit needs to be conducted at the heritage enclave in view of the many pre - war shophouses, of which many need to be preserved to uphold the Unesco heritage status.
Penang has the biggest collection of pre- war shophouses in the region - some 30,000, with around 100 aged over 100 - years old. - April 14, 2026.
