Ch'ng Jit Koon, former Senior Minister of State who pioneered ministerial walkabouts, dies aged 90
Ch'ng Jit Koon is seen at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Residents' Committees and the 20th anniversary of Neighbourhood Committees in July 2018. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information/Kenji Soon)
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SINGAPORE: Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon, who served in politics for 28 years as a Member of Parliament and Senior Minister of State, died on Friday (Mar 1) at the age of 90.
Mr Ch'ng began his political career in 1968 when he was elected to Singapore's second parliament as MP for Tiong Bahru. He served there until 1991, when he was moved to Bukit Merah, where he was MP for one last term, retiring in 1996.
He was a Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, and later a Minister of State and Senior Minister of State for Community Development.
For his contributions, Mr Ch'ng was awarded the Distinguished Service Order at the 2015 National Day Awards.
In a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong paid tribute to Mr Ch'ng, describing the People's Action Party veteran as a "treasured Old Guard comrade".
Mr Ch'ng was close to founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who once characterised him as "absolutely first-rate" and having "excellent interpersonal skills", wrote the younger Mr Lee on Saturday. Mr Ch'ng served as one of the pallbearers at Mr Lee Kuan Yew's funeral in 2015.
Mr Ch'ng was particularly adept at connecting government leaders to the people and initiated the practice of ministerial walkabouts, which continues to this day, the Prime Minister added.
Mr Ch'ng was seen as an influential member of the Chinese community and was a supporter of the decision to merge Nanyang University with the University of Singapore, noted Mr Lee.
"Jit Koon worked hard to foster unity within the Chinese community, and strengthen the Chinese identity in our multicultural society," wrote Mr Lee.
At a personal level, Mr Lee said Mr Ch'ng would offer advice and encouragement every time they met.
"I was surprised and moved when he told me a year or two ago how happy he was that the government was performing well," said Mr Lee.
"Political renewal had worked, and he had the satisfaction in old age of seeing his work continued and built upon long after he had left the political scene."
The two last met at a recent Chinese New Year lunch that Mr Lee hosted for retired MPs at the Istana.
"He looked frail and did not say much, but he made the effort to come for a meal with his old comrades. The comradeship and shared sense of mission meant much to him," said Mr Lee
"I offer my deepest condolences to his family. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time."
