KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi paid his final respects to former transport minister and MCA honorary life president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik today.
The ceremony at the Xiao En Centre was attended by MCA President Wee Ka Siong, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim, and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, among others.
Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional's (BN) chairman, said Dr Ling was his mentor outside UMNO and that he learned much about politics from the deceased.
“I learned a lot from his work and how MCA, MIC, and UMNO operated like siblings; that is the lesson I take from him,” he told the press.
The UMNO president added that Dr Ling once led MCA and served as a minister for 17 years, during which he played a key role in strengthening cooperation among BN component parties.
“He also served as BN chairman for 12 days when UMNO was temporarily banned. During that time, he oversaw BN meetings and invited the reformed UMNO to rejoin the coalition.
"It was a historic moment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khairy described Dr Ling as a highly respected statesman and said he greatly appreciated the late leader’s contributions, particularly in politics.
“One of his major contributions was the political stability we saw in the 1980s and 1990s, when BN was strong. This stability, driven by close cooperation between MCA under Tun Dr Ling, UMNO, and other BN parties, also helped our economy grow rapidly.
“I hope the political stability and strength that Tun Dr Ling brought will serve as a model for today’s BN leaders,” said the former UMNO Youth chief.
Dr Ling died on Saturday (April 4) aged 82. He is survived by his wife Toh Puan Ong Ee Na and their two sons Ling Hee Leong and Ling Hee Keat.
He was among the longest-serving Cabinet members, having helmed the Transport Ministry for 17 years from 1986 until his resignation in 2003.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke described the deceased as a figure who left a significant legacy in the development of the nation’s transport infrastructure.
“Dr Ling was the longest-serving transport minister, holding the post for 17 years. During that time, he made significant contributions to the country.
“Many of the transport projects we benefit from today began under his leadership, including Westports, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the double-tracking railway project,” the DAP secretary-general told the media after paying his final respects.
Also present was Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, who paid tribute to the late leader as a highly respected figure in the country’s political history.
“The impact of his leadership is evident in the country’s development today.
“But to me, he was also a friend of my late father Karpal Singh. They went to the same university, among other things, and we have shared many stories, including personal family memories,” said the DAP national chairman.
Today’s final tribute to Dr Ling was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, and Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching.
