Sheng Siong founders’ mother dies after suffering from kidney failure
The matriarch of the Lim family, which founded local supermarket chain Sheng Siong, has died at the age of 91.
According to her obituary, Madam Ng Lye Poh leaves behind almost 100 family members.
Source: obits.sg
Mother of 3 brothers who founded Sheng Siong died on 5 Sept
Mdm Ng passed away peacefully at 7.20am on Saturday (5 Sept), the notice said.
She leaves behind three sons, six daughters and two godsons, as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and in-laws, numbering 92 people.
Her three sons, Mr Lim Hock Eng, Mr Lim Hock Chee and Mr Lim Hock Leng, founded Sheng Siong in 1985.
Because of this, Mdm Ng was affectionately called “Sheng Siong ah ma“.
Mother admitted to ICU due to kidney failure
Speaking to Lianhe Zaobao at his mother’s wake, Sheng Siong CEO Lim Hock Chee said she had suffered from diabetes for more than 10 years and had needed insulin injections.
She also underwent heart bypass surgery about three years ago, but was able to walk on her own afterwards, he told Shin Min Daily News.
More than a year ago, she was hospitalised again due to asthma.
Last month, Mdm Ng was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to asthma and kidney failure.
After her condition briefly improved, she was transferred to a general ward but suddenly suffered internal bleeding.
She returned home from the hospital last Thursday (3 Sept) after her condition deteriorated rapidly, with doctors saying the situation was not optimistic.
This led many family members to visit her one last time before her passing.
Mdm Ng was kidnapped in 2014
In 2014, Mdm Ng made the news when she was kidnapped for ransom, the first such case in Singapore for several years.
According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the then 79-year-old was taken from Hougang on 8 Jan 2014, after which her son received a call demanding a ransom of S$20 million for her return.
Mr Lim called the police, but also subsequently dropped off the cash in Sembawang Park upon the kidnappers’ instructions.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
Mdm Ng was released near Seletar West Camp the next morning.
SPF later arrested two suspects around Hougang and Ang Mo Kio within 12 hours of Mr Lim’s report, and also recovered the cash.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
Both men were sentenced to jail, with one of them receiving a life sentence.
Sheng Siong donated ransom amount after mother was released
Mr Lim said that after the incident, family members avoided bringing it up in front of his mother, who continued going out as normal.
She probably managed to ensure the kidnapping as she was quite reserved and had suffered a lot when she was young, he added.
As for the S$2 million, Mr Lim and his brothers donated the cash to the National Crime Prevention Council.
They had decided to do so after receiving the ransom demand, if their mother was safely released.
Wake being held till 11 Sept
According to her obituary, Mdm Ng’s wake is currently being held at Woodlands Memorial, with the entire fifth floor reserved for people from all walks of life to pay their respects.
Source: Hwee Ang on Facebook
About 30 Sheng Siong staff were present to help out with the arrangements.
Besides family and friends, Yio Chu Kang MP Yip Hon Weng was also seen at the wake.
The wake will last till Friday (11 Sept) afternoon, after which Mdm Ng will be buried at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery.
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Featured image adapted from obits.sg and Hwee Ang on Facebook.
