Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim paid his last respects to former transport minister and MCA honorary life president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who died on Saturday. The wake at Xiao En Centre was also attended by MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Chang Lih Kang.
The prime minister attended to extend national condolences to Dr Ling’s wife, Toh Puan Ong Ee Nah, and her family, whilst formally recording the deceased’s substantive contributions to state affairs.
He provided remarks to the press following the private viewing.
“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.
Dr Ling died at 82 years of age. He is survived by his wife and their two sons, Ling Hee Leong and Ling Hee Keat.
His cabinet service comprised a continuous 17-year period directing the Transport Ministry from 1986 until his resignation in 2003. This tenure records his status among the longest-serving cabinet members in national administration.
