Dear Victorians,
Today, a fellow Victorian who has devoted much of his life to the Victorian cause has left us. The OVA is deeply saddened to learn of his sudden death.
On behalf of all Victorians, we would like to convey our deepest, heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
He will live in our hearts forever.
Nil Sine Labore
OVA Management Council
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SINGAPORE: Dr Ong Chit Chung, a Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC, passed away on Monday morning. He was 59 years old.
His family told Channel NewsAsia that Dr Ong was at home when he died peacefully.
A five-term MP, Dr Ong was a lecturer in military history at the National University of Singapore when he went into politics in 1988.
He won the single-seat ward of Bukit Batok for two terms before the constituency became part of the Bukit Timah GRC in 1996, and then Jurong GRC in 2001.
In 1991, Dr Ong was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and Labour.
He later left the world of academia and joined the private sector. At the time of his death, he was President of Davos Life Sciences Pte Ltd.
During his twenty years in politics, Dr Ong had also served as the Chairman for the Government Parliamentary Committees for Education, Defence and Foreign Affairs.
In a statement to the media, Dr Ong's family said they are saddened by their loss. And in memory of his service to the residents in his ward, they have asked that in lieu of wreathes, donations can be made by cheques to the PAP Community Foundation, Bukit Batok Branch.
The wake for Dr Ong will begin on Tuesday evening at his family home at 41, Princess of Wales Road.
The funeral is expected to be held this Friday.
– CNA/yb/ms
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporel…
I felt a deep sense of shock and loss of one of ours on hearing the news of the sudden death of Dr. Ong Jit Chung. His exemplary life and contribution to the community has indeed brought pride to our alma matar!
My deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Ong at this time of loss!
Pak Kuan
VS 1974-1977
Dear all,
Pls find below details of the wake and funeral.
Wake
=====
15-17/July
41, Princess of Wales Road
Singapore 266941
Funeral
======
18/July – 1pm
St Andrew Cathedral
Nil Sine Labore
OVA Management Council
Dear Fellow Victorians,
On Monday I received a phone call from Old Vic Tay Swee Sze, breaking the dreaded news of the sudden passing of our fellow Victorian Comrade Dr Ong Chit Chung. It was quite a shock to us especially because we were just talking and joking about Chit Chung on Friday night when a number of us Old Vics were gathered to celebrate the anniversary of a music bar owned by another Old Vic, Leslie Yong.
Chit Chung served the school for many years and was the Chairman of the School's Advisory and Executive Committees until his demise.
Singaporeans from all walks of life have been streaming to the wake to pay their last respects to Chit Chung. For those who wish to do so, I have attached below here funeral details as provided by Philip Lee (a very close friend of Chit Chung since their VS days).
The Victorian family has lost a great Son who devoted selflessly and tirelessly to our alma mater. Please join me in mourning the loss of our brother Chit Chung.
Goodbye Chit Chung.
from Fellow Old Vic Comrade,
Lim Eng Chong
"Victoria, thy Sons are we, and we will not forget …" (from the Victoria School Anthem)
Venue :
41 Princess of Wales Road (Tuesday to Thursday)
(For those driving, please park your cars in/or near Nanyang Primary School.)
& St Andrew's Cathedral (Friday)
Dates/Time:
Day Time Venue
Tue, 15th July 8pm Princess of Wales
Wed, 16th July 8pm -do- (Chinese Service)
Thu, 17th July 8pm -do-
Fri, 18th July 1pm St Andrew's Cathedral
Fri, 18th July 3pm Mandai Crematorium
We continue to uphold Peck Eng, James & Sharon, Chris, Maggie and Jonathan and family in our prayers.
MP ONG CHIT CHUNG DIES
He pushed for creation of VJC
Victorians pay tribute to man who helped make it one of S'pore's top colleges, as other MPs praise his commitment
THE late Dr Ong Chit Chung was passionate about his alma mater, Victoria School (VS).
By Karen Wong
16 July 2008
THE late Dr Ong Chit Chung was passionate about his alma mater, Victoria School (VS).
In the '80s, even before he became an MP, he pushed for the creation of Victoria Junior College (VJC) and worked tirelessly to help set it up, said the principals of VS and VJC in a joint statement after his death.
Dr Ong, an MP for Jurong GRC, died suddenly at home early yesterday morning, leaving a wife and two sons. He was 59. The cause of his death has not been confirmed.
Under his guidance, VJC grew to become one of the top colleges in Singapore, the principals said.
RELOCATING SCHOOL
He was also the driving force behind the plan to move VS to its present Siglap Link location as he wished to see the school close to VJC, they added.
'All of us will remember with gratitude the dedication and fortitude of this one man who made the difference for all in the Victorian family,' they said.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports) Teo Ser Luck, who is the immediate past president of the Old Victorians' Association, said of Dr Ong: 'Every time we met, it was about how to make Victoria better. He always wanted the best for Victoria.'
Law Minister K Shanmugam, who had entered politics with Dr Ong in 1988, described Dr Ong's death as 'shocking and devastating'.
He said: 'Chit Chung and I became MPs at the same time. I've been quite close to him. I have the highest regard for him.'
The New Paper understands that Dr Ong threw a congratulatory party for Mr Shanmugam when the latter was made a minister.
Mr Shanmugam, who is MP for Sembawang GRC, said: 'He always went the extra mile for his constituents.'
He recalled that a resident of his constituency whose sister was in Dr Ong's constituency once had a problem.
He told Dr Ong about the case and the latter not only remembered the details of the case but also got to the bottom of the problem very quickly.
'He was an extremely hardworking MP,' he said.
Dr Ong was a lecturer in military history at the National University of Singapore when he went into politics in 1988.
He won the single-seat ward of Bukit Batok for two terms before the constituency became part of the Bukit Timah GRC in 1996 and then Jurong GRC in 2001.
In 1991, Dr Ong was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and Labour.
Two years later, he left public service to join the private sector. At the time of his death, he was president of Davos Life Science.
Dr Ong's university mate, Mr David Ho, 59, the managing director of Windmill International, said: 'Chit Chung was best remembered at the Bukit Timah campus as the editor of Singapore Undergrad and the president of the History Society.
'He was a very committed MP, a devoted family man, a friend and a gentleman.'
Madam Halimah Yacob, his fellow MP in Jurong GRC, said: 'Dr Ong was a hardworking and passionate MP who bonded well with his grassroots leaders and residents.
'I have always found him to be supportive and willing to extend a helping hand whenever required.
'He also never flinched from giving frank and open feedback on issues affecting Singapore.'
Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and an MP in Jurong GRC, who had played golf with Dr Ong at the Bukit Batok annual fund-raising event last Wednesday, said: 'He forged a closely knit team. At every Bukit Batok function I attended, I could sense the strong sense of camaraderie among all the volunteers and the close bond they have established with the residents.'
In a condolence letter to his widow, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: 'I had just had lunch with him a fortnight ago, to bounce off some ideas for my National Day Rally speech, and found him as committed and engaged in his work as an MP as ever.'
He added: 'I will remember Chit Chung as a steadfast comrade who held true to his values and beliefs and spoke frankly because he cared….
'Chit Chung leaves behind many friends who will mourn his sudden loss. But he lived a full life, made significant contributions to the party and to Singapore, and had ample reason to be satisfied in what he had accomplished.'
From: The Electric New Paper