©Bernama (Used by permission)
KUCHING, Jan 23 (Bernama) –– Former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Chong Siew Fai died at about 1.30am Monday, after suffering from colon cancer for one and a half years.
He served as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak from 1995 until 2000. Prior to his appointment to this high office, he had served in the Federal Court for a year.
Siew Fai, 72, who died at his residence, is survived by his wife Puan Sri Rosalind T'en Yaw Hee, a son, Kevin Chong Chieng Yah and three daughters – Chong Yuh Shyan; Chong Yuh Tyn and Chong Yuh Ling.
His younger brother Chong Siew Chiang said his wife and daughters were at his side when he breathed his last.
Siew Chiang said his brother underwent two major operations one in 2004 and another last year.
"He will be buried on Wednesday at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Bau, after the funeral mass at St Joseph's Cathedral here at 10am," he said when met by Bernama at Siew Fai's residence here.
The Sarikei–born Chief Judge, was a teacher for 11 years and taught in St Anthony in Sarikei, before he went to London to pursue his studies in law at Lincoln's Inn.
Siew Fai obtained his first law degree in 1965 and was called to the English Bar. In May 1965, he was called to the Sarawak Bar and served with Yong and Company in Kuching.
According to Siew Chiang, his brother then set up his own legal firm in 1968.
Describing Siew Fai as a great big brother, Siew Chiang said he took care of all of his brothers and sisters very well.
"Because of him, our brothers and sisters are very close to each other. He took care of us like he is our parents," he said, appearing calm but sad.
In 1980 to June 1994, Siew Fai served as High Court Judge in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Sibu. He was President of the Sarawak Advocates Association from 1975 to 1979.
Meanwhile, a eulogy of Siew Fai said, during his tenure on the Bench, Siew Fai had contributed immensely to the development of the law and his decisions were highly regarded by legal practitioners for their lucidity, reasoning and grasp of the law.
"As a Judge of both state and federal levels, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Thomas Chong Siew Fai was very much respected for his dedication to his work and legendary judicial temperament.
"His patience, humility and sense of fairness in the discharge of his judicial duties have earned him the highest respect and regard from his fellow judges, lawyers, and the parties who appeared before him," the eulogy said.
{moscomment}