Australia was left in shock by the tragic murder of renowned cardiac surgeon, Dr. Victor Peter Chang, AC, in 1991. Dr. Chang, celebrated for performing Australia’s first modern heart transplant, fell victim to one of the nation’s most infamous crimes. His death led to posthumous honors, including a state funeral and the People’s Choice Award for Australian of the Century in 1999.
Originally from China, Dr. Chang pursued medical studies at the University of Sydney upon moving to Australia. He further honed his surgical skills in the United Kingdom and the United States before returning to make significant contributions to medicine. Dr. Chang’s legacy included the establishment of the National Cardiac Transplant Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, a pioneering institution in lung and heart transplantation.
Known for his innovative approach, Dr. Chang and his team achieved recognition for developing a prosthetic heart valve and achieving a high success rate in heart transplants. However, his life was tragically cut short on July 4, 1991, when he was fatally shot during an attempted extortion in the Sydney district of Mosman, his body found behind his Mercedes-Benz 500SL.
The heinous act was committed by two Malaysian men, Chew Seng (Ah Sung) Liew and Choon Tee (Phillip) Lim, who randomly selected Dr. Chang from a magazine featuring successful Asians in Australia. The assailants forced a collision with Dr. Chang’s car, leading to a confrontation during which Liew shot him twice in the head.
Initially suspected to involve Triad syndicates, investigators later deemed the crime to be amateurishly executed. As New South Wales had abolished the death penalty in 1985, Liew received a 26-year sentence with a 20-year non-parole period after pleading guilty. Lim, claiming ignorance of Liew’s possession of a gun, was sentenced to 18 to 24 years in prison.
Stanley Ng, involved in an aborted extortion scheme against Dr. Chang a day prior to the murder, received immunity in exchange for his testimony. Prosecutors revealed Ng’s plan to kidnap Chang and his family for a $3 million ransom.
Liew, serving a 21-year sentence, was granted parole in 2012 despite initial protests from Attorney General Greg Smith of NSW. Liew was released and deported to Malaysia the following day.
Dr. Chang’s untimely death was marked by a state funeral, and his cremated remains were interred in Green Park, Darlinghurst, opposite St. Vincent’s Hospital, under a memorial plaque. His legacy endures through the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, where his life and tragic end are commemorated.
Categories: News
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
