KOTA KINABALU: About 2,000 people attended Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah’s funeral yesterday, the Batu Sapi member of parliament who was killed in a tragic road accident, here, on Saturday.
PAYING LAST RESPECTS: Datin Linda Tsen (fifth right) with her children Jamie, Charlene, Steffi and Douglas at the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM) in Likas. — Bernama photo
The crowd ranging from loved ones and relatives, staff or people who had worked with him, to fellow MPs, politicians and party leaders gathered for the memorial service and to pay their last respects to the late Chong at the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM) in Likas, here.
The ceremony took nearly three hours.
The date holds a special meaning, as it is also Chong’s 26th wedding anniversary with wife, Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin.
“My dad was a romantic, who would hold my mum’s hand or put his arm around her when they walked together.
He always suprised her with gifts, and had taken her on trips around the world.
“He took her to Paris on her birthday, and last year they went to China for their 25th wedding anniversary. Today, is their 26th, but dad is not here to celebrate with mum,” said daughter Steffi, 18, during the eulogy with the rest of her siblings.
Chong’s eldest daughter Jamie, 23, remembered him as a loving and affectionate father, who would visit his three daughters in Australia whenever he could get any free time from work.
“When we were in Brisbane, he called us at the weirdest time and when we asked why, he would just say, ‘Nothing, just checking on my girls.’ But we could always tell that he missed us.
“I am at least happy that he got to attend my graduation last year,” said Jamie.
Charlene, 20, said besides having a positive attitude towards life, their dad was also a ‘daredevil’.
“Dad loved everything fast with engine. Once or twice, dad suprised mum by bringing home a new bike. He was a daredevil despite his age. He loved to ride roller coasters at theme parks,” she recalled.
PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, deputies Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, also spoke during the eulogy. — Bernama