OBITUARY ON THE LATE DR ONG CHIT CHUNG

OBITUARY ON THE LATE DR ONG CHIT CHUNG:

The Minister for National Development and Leader of the House (Mr Mah Bow Tan): Mr Speaker, Sir, at certain moments in time, we are reminded starkly that each of us has but one life here, one lone opportunity to leave a mark on our family, our friends, our fellow men, our country. The true measure of a man is seen not just in the height of his accomplishments here and now, but also in the depth of the gap he leaves behind when he passes on, and in the loss that we all feel.

This past week, Singapore has lost one of its finest sons. Dr Ong Chit Chung* was a distinguished parliamentarian, a devoted representative of his constituency, a learned intellectual, a leading business figure, and much more.

We salute his achievements in these fields. But we will always remember him as a fellow comrade and colleague, a generous mentor, an inspiring individual. He was, for many of us as well, a close and dear friend.

As with fellow Members of this House, I was stunned when I first heard the sad news of Dr Ong’s sudden passing. I have known Dr Ong for many years. We both entered Parliament together in 1988, worked closely in many areas, and enjoyed many hours of fellowship.

Only recently, we, the 1988 batch of MPs, past and present, had dinner with him and his wife Elizabeth, a gathering which Chit Chung had initiated and organised. We had a good time talking about many things – politics, family, life. He was his usual meticulous self, making sure all arrangements were perfect, right down to the bottle of 1988 red that Elizabeth told me he had personally selected.

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Many have paid tribute this past week to Dr Ong’s many notable achievements, such as his dedicated grassroots work, his outstanding contributions to defence and security issues and his active engagement with unions. He was an exemplary union advisor who helped to strengthen labour-management relations on the ground, for which he was recognised by the NTUC as a Friend of Labour.

Indeed, it would be difficult to list fully all of Dr Ong’s accomplishments. I cannot but echo the Prime Minister’s words, when he called Dr Ong a man of deep convictions, a party stalwart, and an indispensable member of the PAP election team. Those of us who have fought many tough election battles will recall the invaluable help rendered by his Bukit Batok branch, whose members churned out the flyers and pamphlets for our campaign, sometimes at very short notice.

Dr Ong was a veteran member of this House. He first entered Parliament in 1988, and served two terms as Member for Bukit Batok from 1988 to 1996. After the January 1997 General Election, he was returned to Parliament as a Member for Bukit Timah GRC. At the November 2001 General Election, Dr Ong was once again returned to Parliament, serving as MP for Jurong GRC, a position which he held into this current term.

He was a dedicated and hardworking MP, who served his residents well and represented them fearlessly and faithfully in Parliament. He reflected their hopes and aspirations, as well as their frustrations and fears. He in turn was well-loved by his residents, from all walks of life, all ages and races. This was all too evident in the stream of people who came to pay their last respects to him at the funeral service on Friday.

Dr Ong served this House and this Government tirelessly and with

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distinction. He was Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs and the then Ministry of Labour from 1991 to 1993. He was Deputy Government Whip from 1994 to 2002. Apart from various other committee appointments, Dr Ong was also the former GPC Chairman for Education, and for Defence and Foreign Affairs.

We all recall the many passionate speeches which Dr Ong made in this very Chamber, on various issues close to his heart, from defence to education to social welfare. We remember the many sterling contributions he made, both within and outside Parliament. We treasure those too few moments each of us had with him. We will never forget our comrade in arms, this stalwart of a man, this fine son of Singapore.

Sir, on behalf of this House, may I express our deepest condolences to the family of the late Dr Ong Chit Chung. The family is with us in the House today. To his wife Elizabeth, and his two sons, Christopher and James, their spouses Magdalene and Sharon and his sisters, Chai Ming, Chai Peng and Tan Leong, we mourn with you the loss of your husband, father, brother, and our friend and comrade, Ong Chit Chung.

*Dr Ong Chit Chung, Member for Jurong GRC, passed away on 14th July 2008.

Mr Speaker: As a mark of respect to the late Dr Ong Chit Chung, I propose that the House observe a one-minute silence.

The House rose and observed a one-minute silence.

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