Calm and always ready with a smile, Jui Meng’s sons remember late father

 

The family of the late Chua Jui Meng, including sons Daren (right) and Vernon (left) together with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, paid tribute to the former health minister at the wake earlier today.

KUALA LUMPUR: The late Chua Jui Meng never buckled under pressure and he was not easily fazed even when the odds were stacked against him.

His youngest son, Vernon, 43, recalled his father’s steadfastness during tumultuous times, especially during the Nipah virus crisis in the late ’90s.

Jui Meng was the health minister during the outbreak in 1999 in Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor. A total of 265 cases of acute encephalitis with 105 deaths caused by the virus were reported in the three states.

“He was always very calm, very cool,” Vernon reminisced. “You could always look at the positive side of things (with him).”

Vernon said this was also evident in his father’s political journey, especially when he lost in the MCA presidential race.

“When he lost, he was still very calm and he could smile and remained friendly with everyone he came across,” Vernon told FMT.

But beyond his professional accolades, Jui Meng was most remembered for the depth of love and warmth he showed to his family and friends.

“As a person, as a father, he was very loving. He was always very caring. He was very warm. He never held back any love from his children or his family,” Vernon said.

This familial warmth extended beyond the confines of their home, touching the lives of many, he added.

Meanwhile, his third son, Daren, 48, remembered his father as the quintessential gentleman, always thoughtful and proactive in caring for others.

“He was a first-class father, a first-class example for all of us all these years. And he would be missed because I had never known a life without my father around.

“I truly love my father. To me, he was the best human being I had come to know.”

Away from the public eye, Jui Meng was a devoted father, Vernon said. They said they would always treasure the memory of cycling with him around Bukit Damansara, here, which they described as a testament to the joy and intimacy of their family life.

His humour brought light even in the toughest of times.

Jui Meng died on Sunday at Serdang Hospital at 4.04pm, at the age of 80.

He is survived by his wife, Wong Nyet Lan, 82, and their five sons; Vernon, Daren, Julian, 57, Victor, 57, and Damien, 45. - FMT