KUCHING, May 27: State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman Baru Bian said the late Dato Sri Daniel Tajem was a man of principle and law who genuinely wanted to help the Dayaks to prosper.
To Baru, the former Deputy Chief Minister was also a fighter for native customary rights (NCR) land.
“He came across as a man of principle who genuinely wanted to help the Dayaks to prosper. In all his actions, Dato Sri Daniel was insistent on acting within the law, and in doing what was right,” said Baru who is both Selangau MP and Ba’Kelalan state assemblyman.
Baru said he knew Tajem from the time of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) in the 1990s, when the party was in the opposition. The two worked together in the party until it was de-registered.
“As a lawyer, Daniel Tajem fought for the native customary rights of the people to be recognised and even in his senior years, he was roped in to appear in the Federal Court in the Masa Nangkai case involving the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA),” said Baru in a statement today.
He expressed sorrow for the loss of a former comrade and a dear friend.
“I was very sad to learn of Daniel Tajem’s passing. I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to Datin Ivy and the family. May God comfort them in their sorrow,” said Baru.
Tajem passed away at the age of 82 at his residence at Jalan Urat Mata this morning at 7.10am. — DayakDaily
