‘Law Hieng Ding was well loved’
Ex-minister was always thinking of the people, says bodyguard
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding always treated police officer Sjn Lo Teck Seng as one of his own family.
He has been Law’s bodyguard throughout his 14 years tenure as Cabinet minister.
“I was assigned as a bodyguard to him when he was appointed a minister in 1990 and I had been with him every day since.
“Sjn Lo spent most of the time together and he treated me like a family member. Both of us were from Sarawak and we were working far away from our homes and families,” he said when met at Law’s wake at the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Sungai Besi yesterday.
Law, 82, who was a former Sarikei MP and also former SUPP deputy president, passed away at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre at 4.55am on Christmas Day.
He leaves his wife Puan Sri Ngui Soon Leng and three children.
Sjn Lo described Law, who held the post of Science, Technology and Environment Minister from 1990 to 2004, as an “enthusiastic man who always thought about the people”.
“I remember going to many places with him to meet and help the poor and sick people. He was always upbeat and nice with anyone who met him. And the people loved him,” he said.
Sjn Lo, who was later assigned to the Works Minister, said both he and Law still kept in contact after Law left politics and lived in Kuala Lumpur.
“It is really sad to lose such a great man,” he said.
Former St John Ambulance Malaysia commander-in-chief Datuk Dr Low Bin Tick said he could never forget his friendship with Law that blossomed after he became a senator and moved to the peninsula.
Dr Low said Law helped him when he was leading the Chin Woo Athletic Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur from 2001 to 2005.
Eldest son Datuk Dr Eric Law Sie Harn said his father decided to move away from public and political life after he developed a degenerative neurological condition shortly after leaving politics in mid-2005.
“About two years ago, he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and was treated with oral chemotherapy,” he said, adding his father’s condition worsened on Dec 7 and he was admitted to the ICU at the medical centre.
“We mourn his departure and we also want to celebrate his extraordinary life and his many achievements.
“I hope those who share the same sentiment will be able to remember and appreciate him for the man he was,” he said.
Law started his political career in 1972 and served as MP for 27 years.
Law’s remains will be flown back to his hometown in Sibu tomorrow morning.
A brief memorial service will be held the same day at the Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church in Sibu from noon to 2pm before the cortege leaves for burial at the family’s ancestral plot.