The SDP mourns the death of Mr Ling How Doong who served as our chairman from 1984-2007. Mr Ling was also the MP for Bukit Gombak SMC from 1991 to 1997.
He was a tireless defender of the rights of workers and consistently advocated for the protection of the needy and vulnerable in Singapore. On this May Day weekend, it is befitting that we remember a Singaporean who loved his country and gave much to his fellow citizens by standing up for them at a time when such voices were rare.
He entered opposition politics in an era when social media was non-existent. This afforded the PAP complete control of the narrative. But despite this, Mr Ling answered the call of duty and joined the SDP.
Understandably, he shunned the media and diligently went about the business of taking care of estate matters in his constituency. Some residents will remember seeing him wield the power water jet and help his Town Council workers clean the walkways – no fanfare, no photo-ops.
In fact, a curious incident took place because of his distrust of the state media. Mr Gandhi Ambalam, another SDP Chairman who passed away in 2018, had sought an interview with Mr Ling in 1984 during the elections when he was a reporter with the Singapore Monitor (which was subsequently shut down).
Mr Ling studiously avoided Mr Ambalam who never got the interview he sought. Both men recounted the episode with amusement in later years.
A lawyer by training, Mr Ling retired from his profession several years ago. He visited the SDP’s office in Ang Mo Kio after the 2015 GE but was by then inactive in politics. He beamed when he walked in and remarked that, for the first time, he saw hope in Singapore’s future as a democracy and that the SDP must stick to its never-say-die spirit in championing the rights of the people.
It is in this spirit that members of the SDP honour Mr Ling and carry on the struggle for a Singapore that will one day join the international community of free nations.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. May he rest in peace.
(Photo: Paying our last respects to our former chairman.)