KUCHING, Jan 24: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg paid his last respects to the late Datuk Simon Dembab Maja.
Abang Johari visited the family at 10am this morning.
Amongst those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
“Datuk Simon was the former Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister after we won the Sarawak State Election in 1970 under the leadership of Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya’kub.
“He had contributed to the political stability in the 70s where with his presence as a State Cabinet member, the government at that time was stabilised and it became the foundation of a coalition government.
“Therefore, we feel a huge loss over the passing of an ‘anak Sarawak’ who has contributed a lot to the State’s strength,” he told the press after his visit today.
Simon, who is also a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) founding member, passed away at a private medical centre in Kuching on Saturday (Jan 22).
He is survived by his wife Datin Rosalind Sitie Jemeni, three children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. — DayakDaily
