KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim fondly remembers his friendship with Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in Penang decades ago.
The Prime Minister said they had known each other way back when he was an Umno leader in Penang.
“Our connection goes back to the Bagan parliamentary constituency, formerly known as Mata Kuching, which is right next to Permatang Pauh.
“Naturally, we navigated the political landscape together, right up to the time he became the MCA president and I was in the Umno leadership back then,” he said after paying his last respects at Dr Ling’s wake here yesterday.
Anwar, who is a former Permatang Pauh MP, said his close relationship with Dr Ling was built upon mutual cooperation and spanned across Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
“During those days in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, we spent a lot of time together and worked closely.
“I deeply appreciate his contributions, not only to MCA but also to the country, particularly his legacy at the Transport Ministry,” he said.
Anwar added that Dr Ling was also a good friend of his late brother Rani Ibrahim.
He paid tribute to the former MCA president’s immense contributions to the nation on behalf of the government.
He also expressed his deepest condolences to Dr Ling’s widow Toh Puan Ena Ling and her family.
“I am here to express my condolences to Toh Puan, representing my family and the country, to remember the massive contributions of Dr Ling to the nation.
“Under his helm of the Transport Ministry, several major developments and major milestones happened,” Anwar told reporters.
