Dr Ong Chit Chung passed away peacefully of heart attack on Monday, 14 July 2008. Paid my last respects this afternoon at his Princess Of Wales Rd home.
It was an ang-mo style wake, and I wasn't too sure what I had to do, or not to do. But in the end, it went alright.
I had the privilege of serving Dr Ong as a VIP customer in my first job, attending to his telecommunications needs. Unassuming and friendly, he allayed all my early fears of being a difficult VIP customer. He even went to the extend of writing a complimentary letter and sending it to the CEO. It is now an important keepsake of mine.
I remember there was one I failed him, and he got really angry with me. The silly me failed to realise that I did not activate an important service for him, inconveniencing him on his overseas trip. I still blame myself for that foul-up.
I had the audacity of asking him for help in 1999 when I was going to register my marriage. Fort Canning Country Club was only a walking distance from the ROM, and it was a godsent that he was Chairman. When I brought the matter up to him in one of my visits to his office, he very gladly and quickly agreed. "Of course it can be done! We have very good food here," he enthused, and started recommending a list of finger food. He even assigned his own secretary to see to the smooth running of the event. I was very touched, and eternally grateful.
Considering he was managing so many companies while being an MP, I once asked him how he was able to juggle the heavy workload. "Have capable people that you trust to run the show," was his response.
Rest in peace, Dr Ong. And many thanks for touching my life.
Photo credit here.
Post Date: 21 Jul 08
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