Tragic Death of ‘Magic Man’ During Dangerous Steaming Ritual

A 68-year-old man, known as self-styled ‘magic man’ Lim Ba, died during a potentially lethal ritual intended to cleanse his body and soul. The incident occurred on the night of November 4, 2023, at the Kuala Sanglang Qinglong Chinese temple in Suala Sanglang, Malaysia, during a Nine Emperor God prayer session. Lim suffered a heart attack and severe burns while performing a stunt known as “human steaming,” which involved being enclosed in a large pot heated with fire beneath.

Around 30 minutes into the ritual, devotees heard desperate knocks from within the steaming pot, prompting them to intervene. Upon lifting the cover, they discovered Lim unconscious. Disturbing footage captured the moments that followed, showing him convulsing as bystanders attempted to move him away from the heat. Despite their efforts, paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Lim Ba’s youngest son, Kang Huai, 32, shared that his father had begun the steaming act around 22:00 local time. He noted that Lim had a history of health issues, including hypertension, and had undergone a heart bypass surgery the previous year. “By the time the ambulance arrived, my father had stopped breathing,” Kang Huai stated.

The practice of human steaming had been part of Lim’s routine for over a decade, with reports indicating he once remained in the pot for an astonishing 75 minutes. During one of his performances at a Nine Emperor Gods celebration in Ayer Tawar, Perak, food items such as rice and sweet corn were also placed in the wok for steaming alongside him.

Lim’s family expressed profound grief at his passing. His daughter, Wei Ling, 37, revealed that he had complained about feeling overheated prior to the ritual and had lost his appetite. “My mother, my sisters, and I are very sad. Our cheerful father has left us forever,” she lamented.

Lim Ba was recognized as a Taoist medium, practicing a traditional Chinese religion that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao. According to the president of the Federation of Taoist Associations of Malaysia, Tan Hoe Chioew, such rituals are not considered mainstream Taoist practices but rather resemble a form of fa shu, or magical performance. He explained that these acts are often performed to attract followers and showcase the performer’s physical endurance.

The tragic loss of Lim Ba raises significant concerns regarding the safety of extreme rituals and the responsibilities of those who engage in them. As communities reflect on the event, questions about the intersection of faith, tradition, and personal safety may come to the forefront.