Soon Koh and Pauline look at a portrait of Andrew.
SIBU: The untimely demise of former deputy chairman of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Dato Andrew Wong Kee Yew is mourned not just by his family members, friends and relatives but also by those whom he had touched.
Among them were two Indonesian maids at his residence, namely Boni and Aishah.
Boni was seen crying during the wake held at Nirvana Memorial Park in Mile 23, Oya Road here yesterday.
According to Andrew’s mother Datin Sri Pauline Leong, the maids were close to Andrew and always joked with him.
He leaves behind his wife Datin Lily Toh and two teenage children Sean and Natasha.
Every once in a while, Pauline could be seen wiping condensation on the glass surface of the coffin.
She and Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh would also whisper to Andrew every now and then.
Still photos showing Andrew’s various moments during his tenure as SMC deputy chairman and when he was campaigning in the 14th general election were played.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people from different races and religions and political affiliations came to pay their last respects.
Assistant Minister of Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil and his wife Datin Lee Chai Fong, University College of Technology Sarawak vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab Hamid and SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King were among those who came early to the wake.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang arrived at Nirvana Memorial Park at 10.45am.
They were accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and his wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam and his wife Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew and Tanjong Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu were also present.
People’s elected representatives from Democratic Action Party (DAP), namely Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon, Pelawan assemblyman David Wong, Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang, Lanang MP Alice Lau and Sibu MP Oscar Ling also came to pay their last respects.
Meanwhile, a Catholic funeral mass will be held at a chapel in Nirvana Memorial Park today (Feb 14) before the cremation.