Former PAP MP Ong Ah Heng, known as 'Kopitiam MP', dies at 84

Former People's Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Ong Ah Heng died aged 84 on May 5, 2026.

Prior to his death, Ong had served as MP for Nee Soon Central from 1997 to 2011.

'Kopitiam MP'

Nicknamed the "Kopitiam MP", Ong was known to mix easily with working class people.

After joining the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in 1980, Ong was executive secretary of the National Transport Workers’ Union from 1981 until 2006 before he later became assistant secretary-general of NTUC.

'Right that I repay society': Ong

He previously said in a 1996 interview: "I owe a lot to the meritocratic system."

"There are very few countries where you could start as a construction worker and end up with a master's degree," he added.

"It is right that I repay society by involving myself in community work — in the Labour Movement and in other grassroots organisations."

'Grounded in the concerns of the people he served'

Following Ong's passing, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in a Facebook post that Ong "spoke up tirelessly for workers and ordinary Singaporeans, always grounded in the concerns of the people he served".

PM Wong said Ong had just stepped down when he entered politics in 2011.

"But he was always ready to offer advice and support."

PM Wong added: "His son Teng Koon was also in the same batch — he later became my team mate in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, and continues to serve residents in Limbang as Second Adviser."

'Believed in staying close to the ground'

Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam, in a Facebook post, called Ong "grounded" and "approachable".

Shanmugam said he first knew Ong not just as a fellow MP, but as someone who "embodied the quiet ethic of service that underpins our labour movement and grassroots work".

Ong joined the PAP as early as 1964, he acted as Election Agent to former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in the 1976, 1980, 1988 and 1991 General Elections.

Beyond politics, Ong continued to contribute and took on public service roles, Shanmugam said.

He added that Ong was "always guided by a belief in giving back in different ways".

"He believed in staying close to the ground. Close to the people."

'Served residents faithfully for many years'

People's Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Alex Yam said in a Facebook tribute that Ong "served his residents faithfully for many years."

Yam said that people often described him as the "Kopitiam MP" because he was "most comfortable sitting among residents over coffee, speaking plainly, listening carefully, and getting things done without fuss".

"When he spoke, everyone listened — from ordinary citizens to even gang members, and also corporate executives and most of all Cabinet Ministers," Yam added.

He recalled calling Ong during the Hougang by-election to ask for support, to which Ong said yes "without hesitation".

"And on nomination day he didn’t just send well wishes," said Yam. "He turned up personally at the nominations centre with a hundred supporters in tow."

His son, former Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Ong Teng Koon, told The Straits Times that his father had been sick for some time and was a fighter till the end.

He also said that the elder Ong's hero was Lee Kuan Yew, and that the PAP was very important to him.

He also said that many of his father's former bosses and colleagues had visited his father’s wake in Ang Mo Kio.

According to 8World, his wake is being held at Block 204 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.