KUALA LUMPUR: The late Hong Kong comedian Richard Ng Man Tat's ashes will be flown back to Malaysia, his second home after his cremation today.
China Times reported today that Ng's younger brother Li Da said that he had wanted his ashes to be brought to Malaysia, so that he could be with his wife and children.
However, Li Da declined to reveal where his brother's ashes would be placed.
Ng, who died at 70 on Feb 27, made Malaysia his new home for 25 years after marrying Segamat-born Hou Shan Yan in 1996.
Li Da added that Ng's family had spent time with him in hospital prior to his death from cancer.
"We brought our mother to see him as doctors said Man Tat would not be able to live long," said Li Da.
Ng was married twice. His first wife was Mak Lei Lei, whom he married when he was 25. They had two daughters.
He then had a relationship with former actress Lo Siu Chi in 1989, and had a daughter.
Ng met Hou in 1993, a year before he and Mak were divorced.
Ng, who was born in Fujian, China, migrated to Hong Kong with his parents and siblings when he was five.
He took acting classes at Hong Kong Television Broadcasts in 1973 and began his acting career a year later.
Ng's first notable role was the no-nonsense Inspector Yip in the popular drama series Police Cadet 1984 alongside Tony Leung and Sean Lau.
In 1988, he collaborated with funnyman Stephen Chow, and the duo became hugely popular.
In 2013, he starred in the Malaysian comedy film Kara King with Malaysian comedians Namewee, Epy Kodiang and Zalif Sidek.