PETALING JAYA: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong was unable to attend the wake of MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon’s mother in Penang after his flight was delayed by heavy rain and a technical problem.
MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon represented Dr Wee at the wake and paid his last respects to Lee Kee Hiong on behalf of the party president.
Dr Wee and MCA deputy treasurer-general Datuk Adrian Lee Yin Chung had been scheduled to take a 4.20pm flight from Kuala Lumpur to Penang on Sunday (Nov 1) to attend the wake at Chee Seng Garden in Tanjung Bungah.
However, heavy rain in the Klang Valley delayed the flight by more than three hours before the airline announced a further delay due to a technical problem.
“The delay was too long and I was eventually unable to make the trip. I deeply regret this,” Dr Wee said in a Facebook post.
He also extended his condolences to Dr Mah and his family.
Chong said Dr Wee’s flight, initially scheduled to depart at 4.20pm, was delayed until 7.30pm.
Dr Wee also had to return to Kuala Lumpur on a 10.30pm flight as he was due to attend Parliament the following morning, Chong said.
Chong said his own 4pm flight from Kuala Lumpur departed only at about 6.30pm.
He said Lee’s death on Oct 31 came unexpectedly, while the funeral was scheduled for Tuesday (Nov 3), leaving little time for party members from other states to travel to Penang.
“Nevertheless, I saw members from Pahang, Johor and other states who came to pay their respects. It shows the concern and support among party members,” Chong said.
Lee, 82, is survived by six children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her funeral service was scheduled for 8.30am on Tuesday, with the cortege leaving at 9am for burial at the Segari Five Villages Chinese Cemetery in Perak.
