Susan (second right) doing the arrangements at Fook Lu Siew Funeral Parlour.
KOTA KINABALU: Prominent Sabah developer Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Wong Kwok passed away peacefully at 10.30pm on Saturday in Queen Elizabeth Hospital II (QEH 2) here. He was 100.
Wong was accompanied by his wife, sons, daughters, grandchildren, relatives and good friends in his final hours.
He left behind two of his wives, 13 children, 41 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Wong, who was the founder of Wong Kwok Group, was born on March 17, 1919 in Guangdong province in China. Wong had 10 years of education in his hometown before leaving for Hong Kong to work at the age of 16 in 1935.
At the age of 19,Wong entered a construction company in Hong Kong as an apprentice and continued to work for the company till the Second World War.
As Japanese soldiers invaded Hong Kong, Wong made a decision to return and protect his country.
Soon after the Japanese surrendered, Wong went to Hong Kong once again to work for another construction company for three years.
He set in North Borneo, now known as Sabah, with his company in 1950.
Four years later Wong set up a construction company in Brunei with his friends, and became a reputable contractor due to his work in Brunei and Sarawak.
In 1964, he brought his family back to Sabah.
Wong has also contributed a lot to education and charities, as well as an active member in associations. Wong was the founder of Huang Clan Association Sabah, and received the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) award which carries the title ‘Datuk’ in 1990, and Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK) award which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri Panglima’ in 2004. He also received an award for his contribution by Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah in 2006.
Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, Wong’s fourth daughter, said her father was sent to Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) for lungs infection in January 3. Wong was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in QEH 2.
Susan said the doctor in charge has been treating and taking care of her father to the best of his abilities for the past 17 days, as well as being very patient in explaining her father’s condition to family members.
She commended the doctors and nurses for their care and professionalism.
“In the past 17 days, we have been through an unforgettable medical process, and we are grateful for Dr David Wong for doing his best.”
Dr David Wong is also a committee member of Huang Clan Association Sabah.
Susan said her father’s children have flown back from Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and Brunei to be by their father’s side.
“All of us stayed by his side and sang for him.”
Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Wong Kwok passed away in the company of his family, relatives and friends at 10.30pm on Saturday.
After a family meeting, Susan said the funeral would take place at Fook Lu Funeral Parlour on Tuesday, January 22. Wong will be laid to rest at Nirvana Memorial Park.
Susan said her father has been a friendly, hospitable man who liked to be around people.
“My father was also a charitable person and would help anyone who approached him. I’ve picked up some of that from him.”