The family of Irene Ong Ai Sam, the jogger who was murdered during a robbery in Bukit Gasing on Saturday recalls the victim as a loving mother who gave to her community.
The eldest sibling, Chin Hui Ying led the tributes, saying that her mother was a dedicated, selfless mother who never asked for anything in return. Hui Ying said that she last saw her mother in February. On the night of the incident, she received a video call from her father, Chin Wing San, and younger sister, Hui Wei.
“They told me to sit down and then broke the news. They said mama had been mugged and attacked by thieves”.
“I was shocked and stunned when they told me she did not make it. I told my dad and sister to give me time to absorb the news. I then made arrangements to return.”
“She was not only my mother, but my best friend as well. I could talk to her about anything and she always listened and gave me advice.
“I remember she used to read books aloud and record it on a cassette before dropping it off at the old folks home for the blind.”
“My mother was always active in charity and social work, even in our primary and secondary schools. Whether it was the Parent-Teacher Association or the Petaling Jaya Evangelical Free Church, my mother gave her time freely”.
Hui Ying boarded a flight on Sunday and arrived in Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 4pm. She went straight to the University Malaysia Medical Centre mortuary to see her mother’s body.
Hui Ying recalled her mother telling her: “It is all right to be sad as there is always a plan and purpose for everything. What we should do now is to let her legacy of love and passion live on through us”.
The sister of the deceased, Suzie Ong said her sister had been involved in the Kiwanis Club since 2005 and once served as president of the Bukit Bandaraya section.
Hui Ying wasn’t the only one to share her fond memories of her mother. Her younger sister, Hui Wei also posted a very heartfelt blogpost about the incident called “My Mother, My Hero”.
Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Tun Hisah Tun Hamzah has confirmed that four people have been arrested in connection to the murder of Madam Ong Ai Sam, and the suspects are between ages 16 to 18.
