Co-chair of the Public Bank, Thong, dies

The Board of Directors of the Public Bank Group recognizes late (pictured) as the best among the best, - Image File

KUALA LUMPUR: Co-Chairman of Public Bank Bhd (PBB) Tan Sri Thong Yaw Hong, 85, died on Thursday after being ill for some time.

"We are very saddened by this loss," said council chairman Tan Sri Dr Teh Hong Piow, today.

The Board of Directors of the Public Bank Group recognize him as the best among the best, and his invaluable contributions over 29 years with the Public Bank Group, said in a statement.

"Tan Sri Datuk Seri Utama Thong Yaw Hong will always be remembered for his impressive reputation in the government and the corporate world. We will miss him," he said.

Thong was appointed Chairman of Public Bank in 1986 and changed the position of co-chairman in 2002.

He served as co-chair of the few companies in the Public Bank Group, including the Public Islamic Bank Berhad; Public Investment Bank Berhad; Public Mutual Berhad; Public Financial Holdings Ltd, Public Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd and Cambodian Public Bank Plc.

In the government sector, Thong involved in the field of socio-economic development planning and finance.

He served in the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department since 1957 and became its Director dari1971 hingga1978 and served as Secretary General of the Finance Ministry from 1079 until he retired pada1986.