SIBU: Former New Sarawak Tribune journalist Clarence Ting passed away on Wednesday at Sibu Hospital after a long illness.
Ting, 63, suffered a stroke in 2011.
He leaves behind wife Marie Doris Pui Tshiu Fan, and four grown-up children –sons Ting Zhong Herr and Ting Zhong Shu, and daughters Ting Mei Xiu and Ting Jing Ying.
He worked for The Borneo Post for a while before joining New Sarawak Tribune as the Miri bureau chief in 1993 and later as the Bintulu bureau chief.
Ting’s fellow comrade, Andy Chua from The Star, he knew Ting sometime mid-1993 when they both joined New Sarawak Tribune.
“As Tribune then was under a new management, it started its bureaux in Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri and took in fresh journalists. Ting was the paper’s chief reporter in Miri and later Bintulu.
“To me, he was one of the most hardworking journalists of his time. When he was in Bintulu, he used to tell me he had to cover up to five functions a day. Ting was a God-fearing man, a faithful Catholic and a good friend to be with.
“Sometime in 2011, I received a sad message from his wife informing me that he had a stroke while on his way to a function. He was given three months sick leave but subsequently had to quit the job,” he said.
Meanwhile, another fellow journalist as well as a childhood friend, Kapitan Thomas Tiang, describe Ting as an active student in games, sports, and outdoor activities and was active in the scouts movement.
“I last met him during his follow-up medical treatment before the Covid-19 movement control order (MCO).
“To me, he is always a nice, humble, trustworthy, and responsible man with a strong belief in his religion, family, and community.
“For the past years his health had deteriorated and he had to rely on his wife for medical attention and treatment. May his soul Rest in Peace,” said Tiang.
A memorial service for Ting will be held after encoffin service at Sibu Hospital at 6.30 am.
This will be followed by a church service at Sacred Heart Church tomorrow (March 17) at 8 am before cremation at Nirvana Memorial Park Sibu.
