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Former senior minister of state Ch’ng Jit Koon, praised for his ‘excellent interpersonal skills’, dies at 90

2024-03-02 00:00:00.0 海峡时报-新加坡原网页

SINGAPORE - Former veteran politician and senior minister of state Ch’ng Jit Koon died on March 1. He was 90.

Mr Ch’ng started his political career in 1968 and was among the first batches of People’s Action Party (PAP) cadres.

He served as MP in Tiong Bahru for over 20 years, from 1968 to 1991, and then later in Bukit Merah from 1991 to 1996.

He was also second adviser to Tanjong Pagar grassroots from 1975 to 1996. And from 1985 to 1991, Mr Ch’ng served as senior minister of state for community development.

In a Facebook post on March 2, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam called Mr Ch’ng “profoundly Singaporean in his instincts” and thanked him for serving the country with humility.

“He had a down-to-earth way of interacting with people of all backgrounds. Never hesitating to help when asked,” he said.

He recalled his last meeting with Mr Ch’ng about 10 weeks ago. The occasion was a dinner with a small group of people who had contributed to education. As they climbed a set of stairs leading to the restaurant, Mr Ch’ng insisted on walking behind Mr Tharman.

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“It was just like Jit Koon,” said the President. “He was humble and respected to the end.”

Mr Ch’ng was entrusted by founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew with the task of connecting government leaders to the people, especially the Chinese ground.

In one of his books, the late Mr Lee said of Mr Ch’ng: “He had excellent interpersonal skills and had worked closely with me for many years, including helping to look after my constituency.”

Mr Ch’ng Jit Koon distributing hongbao to the elderly at the Singapore Buddhist Lodge. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE

Mr Ch’ng had close contact with Mr Lee, and even conducted Meet-the-People sessions for him.

In a Facebook post on March 2, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Ch’ng, whom he called “a treasured Old Guard comrade”.

As an MP for 28 years, Mr Ch’ng dedicated himself to looking after his residents and improving their lives, and continued to keep up ties with them even after retiring in 1996, said PM Lee.

As senior parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, and later minister of state and senior minister of state in the Ministry of Community Development, Mr Ch’ng was tasked with connecting government leaders to the people, a mission he carried out wholeheartedly, he added.

“In fact, it was Jit Koon who put forward the idea of ministerial walkabouts, a practice which PAP still continues to this day,” said PM Lee.

Former prime minister Goh Chok Tong noted on Facebook late on March 2 night that Mr Ch’ng had chaired the committee which organised the ministerial walkabouts in the 1980s, and “that political exposure was invaluable”.

“I am immensely indebted to Jit Koon for the part he played in my political journey... I learnt a lot from him. I value his friendship and advice in handling the political ground,” Mr Goh said.

Dr S. Vasoo, a former MP who worked closely with Mr Ch’ng in Tiong Bahru, added that Mr Ch’ng was a warm, committed and consistent man, and was always on the ground.

“He went to coffee shops, hawker centres and different areas where people congregated, sat and chatted with them about their lives and issues they faced, so that he could get appropriate feedback to serve them better,” he said.

Mr Ch’ng was also influential and respected in the Chinese community, said PM Lee, noting that “Jit Koon worked hard to foster unity within the Chinese community, and strengthen the Chinese identity in our multicultural society”.

In the late 1970s, Mr Ch’ng lent his voice to support the “difficult decision” to merge Nanyang University with the University of Singapore. The new entity became the National University of Singapore.

He also played a key role in the formation of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations in 1985, and served for over 20 years on the Chinese Development Assistance Council’s board of trustees.

Mr Ch’ng Jit Koon, PAP candidate for Tiong Bahru, celebrating his victory in the 1972 General Election. PHOTO: ST FILE

PM Lee also recalled how whenever he met Mr Ch’ng, the older man would offer him advice and encouragement.

“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 PM 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.”

He added that when he saw Mr Ch’ng at the Chinese New Year reunion lunch he hosted for retired MPs at the Istana on Feb 14, the latter had 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.”

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For his grassroots work as a long-time MP and his contributions to the Chinese community, Mr Ch’ng was one of the six recipients of the Distinguished Service Order at the National Day Awards in 2015.

When contacted about the award by The Straits Times then, Mr Ch’ng was surprised, and said it was “good to be remembered”, but he still did not think he deserved it as he was just doing his job.

A friend of Mr Ch’ng, Mr Chng Hoon Hoon, who first met him in 1991, said the late Mr Ch’ng was helpful and humble.

“Whatever request one asked of him, he would try to accede. He would help silently and never boasted about it,” said the 60-year-old, who was a legislative assistant with the PAP.

Mr Ch’ng leaves behind his wife, four children and their families.