FORMER MCA president and long-serving transport minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik has passed away peacefully on April 3 at age 82.
Born in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Ling graduated in medicine from the University of Singapore before entering politics. He was first elected as Mata Kuching MP in 1974, retaining the seat in 1978 and 1982.
In 1986, he won the Labis constituency, serving four terms. Ling held several deputy ministerial roles before becoming transport minister from 1986 to 2003.
His passing was confirmed in a message to Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman trustees, where he served as chancellor.
Former New Straits Times editor-in-chief Kalimullah Hassan also broke the news in a Facebook post.
“Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (1943 to 2026). Rest in peace, my dear friend,” were the only words he posted alongside a photograph of the former MCA strongman. — April 4, 2026
Main photo credit: The Star
