Contributed by Cik Aziatulazwa binti Abdul Wahab
Christopher Wong Wai Yee, a lawyer and director of Messrs Wong Ina & Associates passed away in Vientiane, Laos at 1.55 a.m. on 8th February, 2009 due to acute heart failure. He was cremated on Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to love. Indeed the man was special and whatever his weakness, loved he was. He will be missed.
This high achiever had two degrees: A Bachelor of Business Administration from the National University of Singapore and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Wolverhampton, UK. Despite holding a full time job, he obtained his Certificate in Legal Practice in a single sitting. He was called to the Malaysian Bar on 19th April, 1995 and in July, 1996, he started his practice under the firm of Messrs Wong & Fauzi. Upon dissolution, he continued as the sole proprietor of Messrs Wong & Associates, which expanded gradually and evolved into the firm Messrs Wong, Ina & Associates.
Christopher Wong Wai Yee was a boss and a friend. It was difficult for everyone not to eventually regard him as a friend as he was a humble person and easy to get along with. He was a humble and down to earth employer who always told us, “don’t call me boss, call me Chris”. He treated us like equals and referred to the lawyers as his associates. He was always willing to sit, listen and discuss things with us, be it personal matters, work or general issues.
He was considerate, understanding, sensitive and caring. He always lectured us on the importance of having good health; encouraged us to exercise, to control the quality of what we ate and to reduce our sugar intake. Unfortunately, he did not practise what he preached.
His greatest flaw is that he carried all within himself. Through a few friends we learned that he had been feeling strained and stressed of late. He even said he was feeling tired and thought of retiring early, resting and spending more time with the family. Despite this, he pushed himself at work. He took time to follow up with every lawyer in the firm and kept himself updated on the work. He walked around and joked with us keeping the stress well hidden.
We looked up to him as a successful businessman and lawyer. We will always admire his knowledge on company laws and management. There was so much to learn from him. We always believed that he will make a good litigator but he insisted that we shouldn’t send him to court unless we wanted to lose the case!
His demise was a shock to all of us – family, staff, associates, clients and friends alike. To his family members we extend our deepest condolences and together we will try our best to continue his legacy in this firm until time and fate decide otherwise.
May he rest in peace and may we always remember him with great fondness. Sayonara Boss…we love you
Christopher Wong Wai Yee, a lawyer and director of Messrs Wong Ina & Associates passed away in Vientiane, Laos at 1.55 a.m. on 8th February, 2009 due to acute heart failure. He was cremated on Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to love. Indeed the man was special and whatever his weakness, loved he was. He will be missed.
This high achiever had two degrees: A Bachelor of Business Administration from the National University of Singapore and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Wolverhampton, UK. Despite holding a full time job, he obtained his Certificate in Legal Practice in a single sitting. He was called to the Malaysian Bar on 19th April, 1995 and in July, 1996, he started his practice under the firm of Messrs Wong & Fauzi. Upon dissolution, he continued as the sole proprietor of Messrs Wong & Associates, which expanded gradually and evolved into the firm Messrs Wong, Ina & Associates.
Christopher Wong Wai Yee was a boss and a friend. It was difficult for everyone not to eventually regard him as a friend as he was a humble person and easy to get along with. He was a humble and down to earth employer who always told us, “don’t call me boss, call me Chris”. He treated us like equals and referred to the lawyers as his associates. He was always willing to sit, listen and discuss things with us, be it personal matters, work or general issues.
He was considerate, understanding, sensitive and caring. He always lectured us on the importance of having good health; encouraged us to exercise, to control the quality of what we ate and to reduce our sugar intake. Unfortunately, he did not practise what he preached.
His greatest flaw is that he carried all within himself. Through a few friends we learned that he had been feeling strained and stressed of late. He even said he was feeling tired and thought of retiring early, resting and spending more time with the family. Despite this, he pushed himself at work. He took time to follow up with every lawyer in the firm and kept himself updated on the work. He walked around and joked with us keeping the stress well hidden.
We looked up to him as a successful businessman and lawyer. We will always admire his knowledge on company laws and management. There was so much to learn from him. We always believed that he will make a good litigator but he insisted that we shouldn’t send him to court unless we wanted to lose the case!
His demise was a shock to all of us – family, staff, associates, clients and friends alike. To his family members we extend our deepest condolences and together we will try our best to continue his legacy in this firm until time and fate decide otherwise.
May he rest in peace and may we always remember him with great fondness. Sayonara Boss…we love you