Tun Omar Yoke Lin Ong dies of old age (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA founding member, Tun Omar Yoke Lin Ong, 93, passed away due to old age Thursday morning.

He was buried at the Warrior's Mausoleum, next to the National Mosque here, at 6.05pm.

According to an aide to his wife Toh Puan Dr Aishah, Omar died at his home in No. 44, Persiaran Duta, at 8.15am.

Born July 23, 1917 in Kuala Lumpur, Omar was one of the key figures involved in the formation of the Umno-MCA alliance and was part of a delegation headed by Tunku Abdul Rahman to negotiate the country's independence in London in 1957.

He was Malaya’s first Post and Telecoms Minister and was one of the signatories when the Malaysia agreement was signed in London in 1963.

He also held various ministerial posts, including Labour and Social Welfare, Health and Social Welfare, acting Minister of Defence, Commerce and Industry, and Agriculture before he retired from politics.

In 1973, he was elected President of the Dewan Negara and served until 1980.

Even after he retired from active politics, Omar continued to be active in social works, said Aishah.

Remembering Tun Omar Ong Tun Omar Ong recalls formation of Malaya’s first Cabinet A lifetime in politics Five honoured for invaluable contributions