The crowd ranging from loved ones and relatives, staff or people who had worked with him, to fellow MPs, politicians and party leaders gathered for the memorial service and to pay their last respects to the late Chong at the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM) in Likas, here. The ceremony took nearly three hours.
The date holds a special meaning, as it is also Chong's 26th wedding anniversary with wife, Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin.
"My dad was a romantic, who would hold my mum's hand or put his arm around her when they walked together. He always surprised her with gifts, and had taken her on trips around the world.
"He took her to Paris on her birthday, and last year they went to China for their 25th wedding anniversary. Today, is their 26th, but dad is not here to celebrate with mum," said daughter Steffi, 18, during the eulogy with the rest of her siblings.
Chong's eldest daughter Jamie, 23, remembered him as a loving and affectionate father, who would visit his three daughters in Australia whenever he could get any free time from work.
"When we were in Brisbane, he called us at the weirdest time and when we asked why, he would just say, 'Nothing, just checking on my girls.' But we could always tell that he missed us.
"I am at least happy that he got to attend my graduation last year," said Jamie.
Charlene, 20, said besides having a positive attitude towards life, their dad was also a 'daredevil'.
"Dad loved everything fast with engine. Once or twice, dad surprised mum by bringing home a new bike. He was a daredevil despite his age. He loved to ride roller coasters at theme parks," she recalled.
PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, deputies Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, also spoke during the eulogy.
Pairin said the party had lost a treasurer-general who had long participated in PBS' struggle for the people of Sabah, while on a personal level, he had lost a good friend.
Ongkili praised Chong's qualities as a leader, loyalist, forthright person and a good friend.
"When he wanted to join the (PBS) team, he was already a successful engineer and earning a lot, but he had the desire and commitment to serve the people.
"He was loyal to his friends and to the party. He was a good friend. I can't think of any occasion when he had an enemy," said Ongkili.
Yee said the void in the party was one that would not be easy to fill, as Chong was a respected politician who understood the party's struggle for the betterment of the state and country.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, PKR vice-president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, and Deputy Foreign Minister and Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot.
The late Chong was buried at the Chinese cemetery, 5th Mile, Jalan Tuaran. (By KRISTY INUS/Bernama)
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