Glowing tribute to Ling

BY JANE RITIKOS

PUTRAJAYA: The Prime Minister paid a glowing tribute to former MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik for his successful service as transport minister and Cabinet minister for 27 years. 

Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he deeply appreciated the service by Dr Ling whom he described as “an active minister who is successful in carrying out his duties.” 

He said Dr Ling's most outstanding achievement was making Malaysia a port of call for many big container ships.  

“Before we had many well-equipped ports but the ports were only bringing in one million containers compared to 12 million in Singapore. 

“Datuk Seri Ling went to the ground to find out the reason why. His hands-on work resulted in the handling of almost 10 million containers at our ports today. 

“In a short time, there was 1,000% increase and this is a big achievement,” Dr Mahathir said at a special farewell dinner for Dr Ling attended by Cabinet ministers at Sri Perdana last night, which coincided with Dr Ling's 60th birthday. 

BIRTHDAY CHEER: Dr Mahathir, his wife Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi clapping while Dr Ling cuts his birthday cake in Putrajaya Thursday night. Looking on is Ena.

The Prime Minister also said the transport minister's job could not be carried out by a Malay minister because it required certain socialising which Dr Ling could do. 

“This needs some attributes, which I do not need to mention here,” he joked, adding that Dr Ling had often had to entertain shippers like playing golf.  

Dr Mahathir said that like everyone else, a time had come when Dr Ling had to go and a leader must accept that there would be a beginning and an end. 

“But whatever the reason for leaving is not important,” he said, adding that Dr Ling's willingness to resign as party president and minister enabled the MCA to resolve its internal problem. 

He also explained that Dr Ling had intended to resign much earlier but that he had stopped him as Dr Ling's service was needed. 

“So when there was a problem, it was not hard for me to talk to him and tell him that perhaps this time I might accept if he wants to resign and he took the hint and I think this helped resolved the problem in the MCA,” he said. 

Dr Mahathir ended his speech by saying that words were inadequate to express his appreciation of Dr Ling's contribution. 

“You retire earlier than me. You will have more time to enjoy your life,” he said.  

Dr Ling in his speech said he and his wife Datin Seri Ena Ling were honoured, proud and touched by the farewell dinner.  

Dr Ling resigned after 17 years as transport minister and was replaced by Datuk Chan Kong Choy in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Dr Mahathir on June 24. 

Speaking to reporters, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was saddened by the United States' veto of the UN resolution which demanded Israel not to harm and expel Palestine President Yasser Arafat, which he described as legitimising the leader's assassination. 

Dr Mahathir said the US move was a scary development as it meant that when two countries were enemies it would be legitimate for one country to assassinate the leader of another.