Former deputy chief minister and former Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) chairperson Dr Wong Soon Kai, 90, died at around 4am this morning at his residence in Kuching.

"It is with a very heavy heart I announce that our former party president Dr Wong Soon Kai who served from 1991 to 1996 has passed away," SUPP secretary-general Sebastian Ting said when contacted.

He said the party would issue a statement later to officially inform all members in the state.

Wong left behind his wife Dr Jane Yong, three children Dr Wong Chee Liang, Dr Wong Chee May and Wong Chee Ling and grandchildren to mourn his death.

He was the first Sarawakian to graduate as a surgeon in Britain in 1959.

Wong and his wife graduated as doctors from the King Edward College V11 College of Medicine, Universiti Malaya in 1947.

Among his classmates were former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

He served as a government doctor for 15 years and spent another four years in private practice before entering politics and becoming a state minister in 1974.

He was deputy chief minister from 1994 to 1996 and was a science adviser to the state government.

Meanwhile SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is currently away overseas, in his Facebook page said he was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Soon Kai.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of our honourary party president and third party president, comrade Dr Wong Soon Kai last night.

"On behalf of SUPP, I offer my heartfelt condolences to Dr Jane Yong, her children and grandchildren," he wrote.

"We recall the late Tan Sri was a party comrade who was always concerned with the welfare of the party and fellow Sarawakians till the end.

"He was a medical colleague, a great gentleman, a mentor, an inspiring leader and a statesman who dedicated his whole life to his fellow countrymen.

"It is truly a great loss to our homeland Sarawak and country. May his soul rest in peace," he wrote.

- Bernama