PM Anwar Pays Final respects To Tun Dr Ling

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today paid his last respects to former transport minister and MCA honorary life president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who died on Saturday.

Also present at the wake at Xiao En Centre here were MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Chang Lih Kang.

The prime minister said he came to the wake to extend his condolences to Dr Ling's wife, Toh Puan Ong Ee Nah, and family on behalf of the nation, and to remember Dr Ling's immense contributions to the country.

"Personally, he was a close friend of my elder brother. The Bagan parliamentary constituency is next to Permatang Pauh, so we naturally moved together in politics until he became the MCA president, and I was with UMNO at that time.

"What's important is that throughout our personal relationship in Penang and in Kuala Lumpur, we spent a lot of time together and worked closely, and I appreciate his contributions, not only to the MCA but also to the country, especially at the Transport Ministry,” he said. 

He said this when met by reporters after paying his last respects to Dr Ling and spending some time meeting those present at the centre.

Dr Ling died on Saturday at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife and their two sons, Ling Hee Leong and Ling Hee Keat.

Dr Ling was among the longest-serving Cabinet members, having helmed the Transport Ministry for 17 years from 1986 until his resignation in 2003.

-- BERNAMA