Country's longest serving civil servant passes away

GEORGE TOWN: Ong See Fook who is believed to be Malaysia's longest serving civil servant has breathed his last on Wednesday — succumbing to prostate cancer at the age of 83.
The Perak — born Ong had served the state government for 61 — years and he passed away while still working as a contract staffer with the chief minister's office.
The soft spoken man, was the epitome of a private secretary, often shunning publicity as, he worked quietly behind the scenes to prepare the state's top administrators for their events and meetings.
He had served as a personal officer and private secretary to four chief ministers; the late Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and the present chief minister Lim Guan Eng.
Ong's son Alvin shared that his father was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer around June.
"We could not find the courage to tell him initially. We just relayed that it was an enlarged prostate."
He was fine initially, and he returned to work at Komtar.
But last month, Ong was forced to take medical leave before passing away on Wednesday evening.
Lim extended his condolences to the family, and praised Ong for his hard work.
"He used to accompany me at work up to 2am (on some days) although it was not mandatory. He has served the state and country with an uncanny distinction."
Lim said Ong was without doubt, the longest serving public servant in Penang, and perhaps in the country too.
Koh issued a statement, saying he knew Ong for more than 35 years.
Ong and him became friends when both were coordinating functions for Chong Eu.
Koh said that Ong became the longest serving public officer in the country when Koh left the state government in 2008.
"He was indeed one of the most dedicated persons I have ever worked with. He was extremely hardworking, meticulous, and sworn to confidentiality," he added.
Ong leaves behind wife Lim Chooi Bee, son Alvin, daughter-in-law Irene Lee Ah Kam, a granddaughter Samantha Ong and a goddaughter Ch'ng Soo Bee.

His funeral will be at the Batu Gantong funeral parlour tomorrow.