Chong Wei’s dad marries again

lee chong we fatherweeding( pix from face book )

BUTTERWORTH: The father of world No. 1 shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei has started a new chapter in his life.

Sixty-one-year-old Lee Ah Chai married a 28-year-old clerk from Bukit Mertajam on Thursday.

The elder Lee said he had been blessed with a caring wife who stayed by him through hard times over the years.

“I got to know her eight years ago at the Berapit badminton court. We were friends then and she was very supportive,” he said when asked about his marriage.

Wife June Goh was at work during the interview at his house in Batu Kawan, near here, yesterday.

Ah Chai, a former salesman and a kotai (stage show) singer, said he and Chong Wei’s mother, Khor Kim Choi, 60, divorced in September last year.

“She and my four children will always be on my mind. My ex-wife and I had spent 30 to 40 years together, and there will always be memories. My heart is now with Goh, who has provided me with support and care, and I treasure her,” he said in between tears.

Chong Wei had reportedly not invited his father when he married women’s badminton ace Wong Mew Choo in a high-profile wedding in November 2012, where the guests included the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Months earlier, Ah Chai caused a stir when he stopped his car on the Penang Bridge, leading to various speculation.

Ah Chai made waves again after he posted a photo of him and Goh posing in wedding attire on his Facebook page on Friday.

Many netizens showered Ah Chai (a.k.a Steven) with best wishes and congratulatory messages while some teased and took a few digs at him.

Asked to provide his marriage picture, Ah Chai declined.

“We do not want the publicity and I do not want to cause any trouble to (Chong) Wei. I hope he will do well in whatever he is doing and I wish him all the best,” he said.

Readers like Roy D Garp and Kuang Say Tuang expressed hope for Ah Chai and his new wife to produce another badminton champion.

“Please produce another Lee Chong Wei! We Malaysians count on you!” Kuang quipped.

However, some expressed dismay that the marriage had drawn public attention.