According to his relatives, he had died without knowing he had Stage IV cancer of the prostate, which had spread to his spine. He was diagnosed with cancer in June.

Ong was regarded as the “unshakeable pillar of Komtar” thanks to his firm stance through changes in leadership and political power over the years.

He was with the Penang Chief Minister’s Office for 47 years, serving as secretary to chief ministers Lim Chong Eu, Koh Tsu Koon and Lim Guan Eng.

During a birthday celebration for Ong at his office last year, Guan Eng had described him as “reliable and dependable”.

Before Ong’s stint at the Chief Minister’s Office, he had worked at the George Town City Council as a special assistant to then City Secretary Sonni Pillai since Sept 24, 1964.

Before being elevated to the city secretary’s office, he joined the city council as a clerk on Sept 3, 1956.

Ong was born in Batu Gajah, Perak, on May 25, 1934. He received his education at the Sultan Yussuf School there.

He was an avid recorder of history, compiling speeches and pictures of all past chief ministers of Penang.

The most memorable events during his service, according to Ong’s colleagues, were two near-death experiences on an overseas working trip with then chief minister Chong Eu in 1987.

Ong was reportedly accompanying Chong Eu on a trip to New Zealand when the plane they were in could not land due to a jammed landing wheel.

They were finally able to land after the pilot circled the airport to burn fuel before coasting to a safe stop on the runway.

A few days after the New Zealand incident, Chong Eu and Ong met with a car accident after driving back home from dinner. Ong, who was behind the wheel at the time, told The Star that he had “instinctively swerved to avoid a collision”.

Ong leaves behind a wife, a son and a granddaughter. His wake will be held at his residence at 24, Cangkat Minden Jalan 12, Gelugor today.

His funeral will be held at the United Hokkien Cemeteries funeral parlour at Batu Gantong tomorrow.