Got problems, who do you call? Chong!

Mister Fix-it: Chong receiving an editorial plate from Star Media Group managing director and CEO Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai at the function. Behind is MCA Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon (left) and MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chairman Datuk Jason Teoh.

KUALA LUMPUR: When it comes to handling public complaints, no other name pops up as frequently as that of Datuk Seri Michael Chong.

“Colourful” would be a mild way of describing his 30-year career as the head of MCA’s Public Services and Complaints Department, which include facing loan sharks on a weekly basis, rescuing young girls tricked into prostitution and tracking down missing persons.

As a matter of fact, his dedication to serving the public has earned him a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) yesterday as the longest-serving head of a public services and complaints bureau in the country.

The recognition was presented to him by MBR founder Tan Sri Danny Ooi during an dinner that was held in appreciation for his long service yesterday.

Chong, in his speech, expressed gratitude to everyone who has helped him throughout his years, which included party leaders, the police and government agencies, as well as members of the media.

The 68-year-old recalled having his hands full during the early days when he was given the position of department head in 1987.

“When I took over, I could not read or write a single word of Chinese. I was given a seat next to this gentleman who was the executive secretary for the MCA Youth.

“I would ask him to help me translate my press statements. Do you know who he is? He is none other than our current president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai!” he quipped.

In his speech, Liow said Chong’s “exemplary performance” made him a role model for everyone.

“He has on several occasions said that he wanted to retire.

“We can’t allow you to retire just yet. The fact that so many VIPs attended this dinner shows how much your work has touched the society.

“You are an icon. We want the Michael Chong spirit to continue motivating our grassroots members so that they can better serve the people. This is how we regain support for the next general election,” said Liow.

Chong, who dabbled as an insurance agent and as a salesman in his youth, finally found his calling serving the public at MCA in 1980.

Since taking over the Public Services and Complaints Department, he has successfully solved more than 35,000 cases.

His job is not without its hazards, as he remembers having his arm broken by a pimp in 1989.

Of the many cases he has tackled, the most unforgettable one was helping several communist members surrender to the police, Chong said.

“It was the early 1990s. They were Marxist-Leninist communists. They asked me to bring them to surrender to the police.

“So I said: Oh God, why are you here to see me? There are so many people, so you go find them lah. Just go out of my office and I can pretend not to see you.

“They say: Mr Chong, we read about you in the jungle. Our surrender will be a peaceful one. We want to change our lives,” Chong told The Star in an earlier interview.

He managed to get several of them out of the jungle and then drove them to a police station to surrender.

“They were sent to (a rehabilitation centre in) Taiping and were released a few years later,” he said.

Chong still mans his office on the 7th floor of Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang.

He has a wife and four children.

The dinner was attended by hundreds of guests who included prominent figures from the media industry, business, the police, Rela, non-governmental organisations and politics.