World stage : Chinese president Jiang Zemin (left ) and Dr Ling.
The life story of Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik as told to journalist Foong Pek Yee shortly after his retirement from active politics in 2003.
Dr Ling was the fourth generation of the Ling family, with a history dated back to Sitiawan, Perak in then Malaya in 1903.
A medical doctor by training, he went on to become the longest serving Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) president and the longest serving Transport Minister (1986-2003) in Malaysian history.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Sept 18, 2026
January 1958 and I left home for the first time.
I gained admission to the Federal Military College (renamed Royal Military College (RMC) in January 1958.
College life was fun; with many new friends, lots of games to play and academic work was never a problem.
Good foundation : A healthy and sporty Dr Ling during his RMC days.
There was no memory of any difficulties staying in a multi-ethnic environment.
Probably it was because I had studied in King Edward VII School, Taiping which was also a multi- ethnic school with Malays, Chinese and Indians mixing together, playing together and studying together.
Most of all, I believed what did me the most good was the mix of educational and military curriculum.
Destined to lead: Dr Ling is a champion in debates during his RMC days.
Till today, my time management is excellent.
I am still always on time. I still plan my whole day’s activities, full week’s activities and so on.
And the spirit and encouragement to excel was pervasive throughout the college and the results were testimony.
“We learned from our peers, appreciated good leadership qualities of our prefects, sportsmen, scholars, our house masters, teachers etc.”
All these attributes I picked up became even more evident by the time I was sent to the Outward Bound School, about 18 months after I first joined college.
A heart for the people: A medical doctor by training, Dr Ling travelled far and wide to meet the people in his quest to bring development to them.
Remember a patriot : Dr Ling went on to become an outstanding politician and Cabinet Minister. He and MCA members during one of his visits to Malaysia’s retired first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman (seated).
I emerged with an Honours award ( Course No. 45, 1959).
Upon my return from Outward Bound School, I was made a senior boy (prefect).
One other thing that I appreciated very deeply during college days was the school motto “Serve to Lead”.
It was ingrained into my mind that you have to serve before you deserve leadership.
Leadership by example: Dr Ling was very active on the ground, leading MCA grassroots leaders to mingle with the community and find ways to improve their livelihood.
The harder you work, the more deserving you are of a chance to lead.
“If you are not a good follower and a good server, it is very unlikely that you will ever be a good leader.”
My memories of university life in Singapore was a repeat of my active life at college.
It was fun , it was active, it was serious when you needed to be serious, and I made it to become University Singapore Students Union (USSU) president and graduated as a doctor.
When you are active and adventurous, you will face many challenges.
You learn from your challenges.
At very difficult point, there are various options.
“You can move forward, you can move laterally, but always remember that retreat is also an option.”
Life after university as a doctor, as a politician was also a carry over of my life in college and in university; active, curious, willing to try, willing to serve and never relishing a dull moment.
Throughout my adult life, the word – crisis – had a tremendous impact on the way I conducted myself.
It was the understanding of the word “crisis” in Mandarin ” wei ji”
The word “wei” is the short form for danger or “wei sian”.
And “ji” is the short form for opportunity or “ji hui”.
As such, a crisis, when handled properly, skillfully, carefully can result in an opportunity.
The outcome can be otherwise if a crisis is mishandled or handled carelessly, shoddily , irresponsibly or hastily.
My advice to a lot of my colleagues in my adult life is, in the face of a crisis, always:
* Keep calm
- Keep cool
- Be humble
- Be willing to consult those who are more experienced, those who are more knowledgeable and those who have gone through the same or similar crisis before.
If you can follow all these steps diligently, the chances are you will overcome the crisis, and most of all, present you with a new opportunity.
Photos: Credit to a publication titled A Tribute to…Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik from his colleagues and friends in the Alumni Association of the King Edward VII College of Medicine and the Faculties of Medicine in the University of Malaya and the University of Singapore.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication titled The life story of Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission from the journalist Foong Pek Yee.
