PENANG’S longest-serving civil servant, Ong See Fook, whose tenure spanned four chief ministers, died yesterday at 83.

He had stage four prostate cancer.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his predecessor, Dr Koh Tsu Koon, both expressed their gratitude for Ong’s service to the state government and extended their deepest condolences to his family.

Guan Eng said it was likely that Ong was the longest-serving civil servant in Penang’s history, as he began working in 1956 in Wong Pow Nee’s administration.

“He served the state for 61 years, right until he passed yesterday. We thank Ong and his family for his unstinting service,” he told a press conference today.

Ong, who had been on medical leave since last month, began his illustrious career in the Penang civil service as a clerk in September 1956 in the then Penang municipality.

When Dr Lim Chong Eu took over as chief minister in 1969, he spent a lot of time at the council, and Ong was eventually seconded to the chief minister’s office.

He remained as personal assistant to the chief minister, despite changes in the state leadership and government.

“Ong was always with the chief minister. When I had to stay late at the office until 3am, Ong accompanied me.

“It would just be the both of us… we will miss him. His passing is a great loss to the CM’s office,” Guan Eng said.

Koh said he felt a deep sense of loss and sadness shared by many colleagues and friends.

He said he had known Ong for more than 35 years, even before entering politics.

“I was then helping my late father, Koh Pen Ting, in his capacity as a community leader.

“There were times when Ong contacted us to coordinate the attendance of the then chief minister, Dr Lim, at community functions. We had by then become friends,” he said.

Koh said he arranged for Ong to be a contract staff under a subsidiary company of the Penang Development Corporation so that he could continue serving in the chief minister’s office as his knowledge, vast experience and good networking skills were priceless.

When Koh left office in 2008, Ong was already 74.

“By then, he was already the longest-serving person in any government office in the country.

“He was indeed one of the most dedicated persons I have ever worked with. He was extremely hardworking and meticulous, and (could be) sworn to confidentiality.

“He believed in serving the government of the day, elected by the people. Hence, he had served four chief ministers, from Wong to Dr Lim, me and Guan Eng.”

Koh said he visited Ong several times at his home and hospital over the past few weeks.

“He could barely walk but he still talked about going back to the office.

“I trust Ong’s soul is now resting in peace after having devoted so much of his life to the state and being so respected and loved by so many.”

Ong is survived by his wife, son and a granddaughter.

His wake is being held at his home in Changkat Minden, Bukit Gelugor. His funeral will be held tomorrow. – October 19, 2017.