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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his condolences yesterday on the passing of Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, describing the former Transport Minister and long-serving Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) president as a leader who rendered immense service to the nation.
“Condolences to the family of the late Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, a national political figure, on his passing this morning. May his soul rest in peace,” the Prime Minister wrote in a Facebook post.
Dr Ling, who died at the age of 82, is survived by his wife Toh Puan Ong Ee Nah and two sons, Ling Hee Leong and Ling Hee Keat.
Throughout his political career, Dr Ling navigated numerous crises, including being among the 14 MCA leaders dismissed under Tan Koon Swan’s presidency in the early 1980s.
Following this, he resigned as Deputy Finance Minister in 1984 but was reinstated after intervention from then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Dr Ling went on to solidify his influence within MCA, eventually becoming its president and the first to hold the position of Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman—a role traditionally reserved for the UMNO president, who is also Malaysia’s Prime Minister.
A defining moment of his political career came on 16 February 1988, when he chaired the BN Supreme Council meeting approving UMNO Baru’s application to join the coalition.
As Transport Minister for 17 years, Dr Ling oversaw transformative developments in national transport and safety regulations, including mandatory bus alarm systems, vehicle window tinting regulations, and controls on overloaded trucks.
He was instrumental in modernising Malaysia’s ports, particularly turning Port Klang into a global transshipment hub, enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in international trade.
Dr Ling’s contributions extended beyond politics.
He was pivotal in establishing Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), raising RM30 million through public and private donations for TAR College, which the government matched ringgit for ringgit, resulting in RM60 million for infrastructure expansion.
UTAR remains a lasting testament to his commitment to providing higher education access to students from all backgrounds.
“He spoke in a soft, measured tone. Never loud but always firm and clear and often repeated himself so we understood his message,” recalled journalists who covered him over the years.
Dr Ling was known for his calm presence, meticulous attention to detail, and the respect he showed to both colleagues and reporters alike.
Beginning his career as a medical doctor in Butterworth, Penang, he entered politics as the Member of Parliament for Mata Kuching (now Bagan) from 1974 to 1986.
His combination of patience, analytical skill, and steady judgement carried over into his political and administrative work, earning him respect across communities.
Colleagues and journalists remember him as a “gentleman minister” who preferred quiet work over flamboyant public displays.
Despite his reserved style, he left a profound legacy in national infrastructure, education, and governance, shaping Malaysia’s development for decades.
Dr Ling also demonstrated cultural dedication, honing his Mandarin proficiency and studying Chinese classics to enrich his knowledge of Chinese history, reflecting a lifelong commitment to self-improvement and public service.
His passing marks the end of an era in Malaysian politics, but his legacy in education, infrastructure, and principled leadership continues to influence future generations. - April 5, 2026