MCA veterans pay tribute to ‘gentleman’ politician

Sombre moment: Joon Howe paying his last respects to his father at the Xiao En Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

PETALING JAYA: MCA veterans have paid tribute to former party vice-president Datuk Mak Hon Kam, describing him as a gentleman who had done a lot for the people and the nation.

Mak passed away peacefully on Monday at his home at Damansara at the age of 76.

Former MCA president Tan Soon Kwan, who stood in a rival camp against Mak during the 1985 party presidential contest, described him as “a fine gentleman”.

“(Although) he left the party, he did everything to ensure his party is in good health,” said Tan, who was unable to attend Mak’s wake at Xiao En Centre, Kuala Lumpur, as he is currently in China on a business trip.

MCA stalwart Datuk Yap Pian Hon said Mak contributed a lot to the party and nation as he had served as a Labour Minister and Health Minister.

Former MCA deputy president Tan Sri Lee Kim Sai described Mak as “an old colleague”.

“In the party, we were sometimes friends and sometimes enemies. I still respect him,” he said.

MCA secretary-general and current Tanjung Malim MP Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said Mak was a kind person.

“He was Perak MCA state liaison chairman and had done a lot for the people. On behalf of the people of Tanjung Malim, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family.”

A two-term MP for Tanjung Malim, Mak became MCA treasurer-general in Dec 1985 before quitting the party to join the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

PPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas said there were problems when Mak became the PPP president in 1988, leading to a court case.

“Even when the court did not rule in his favour, Mak was a gentleman about it.

“I have lost a friend. He was a good man who never showed any animosity even when the court proceedings were ongoing,” he said.

Mak leaves behind wife Saw An Nie and sons Joon Nien and Joon Howe.

Eldest son Joon Nien described his father as a “simple man” who dedicated his entire life to a cause he believed in.

“He was a politician from cradle to grave, so much so at the winter of his life, he still regressed to the good old days,” he said.

Mak’s funeral will be at The Church of Holy Rosary, Kuala Lumpur at 11am today.