Two-day wake for former health minister Chua Jui Meng

KUALA LUMPUR: The wake service for former health minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng will be held for two days starting today at the Full Gospel Assembly, off Jalan Kuchai Lama here.

His son, Vernon Chua, 43, said the public could visit and pay their final respects on these two days from 3pm to 7pm.

A note shared by members of the church said the wake service will be from 8pm to 10pm.

“My father will be laid to rest at Nirvana Memorial Park in Shah Alam at about 10am on Thursday,” he told Bernama.

Vernon said the funeral service, however, will be for family members only. The former minister’s youngest son described his father as a loving and responsible man.

“His death is a huge loss to the family,” he added.

Chua passed away at Hospital Serdang at 4.04pm on Sunday, aged 80. He was the country’s longest-serving health minister – for nine years from 1995 to 2004.

Vernon said his father had also played an important role in PKR, especially when leading the party in Johor.

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said Chua was one of the recipients of MMA Gold Medal – the highest recognition bestowed on anyone.

“MMA had a close working relationship with Chua during his time as health minister.

“He was hardworking and always set aside time for the MMA to officiate central working committee meetings of our Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists and our Private Practioners Section.

“He showed a deep interest in the issues of medical practitioners in the country,” said its president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz in conveying the MMA’s condolences to the family.