KUCHING, May 28: “Goodbye my friend” Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud told the late Dato Sri Daniel Tajem as the former bent over the latter’s open coffin today.
Taib came to the Tajem residence this morning to pay his last respects to the former deputy chief minister at around 11.30am.
Taib, who was the chief minister then when Tajem was his deputy from 1981 to 1987, was ushered in by Tajem’s widow Datin Sri Ivy Tajem accompanied by former deputy chief minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.
After paying his respects, Taib when offering his condolences said Tajem played huge and long roles in the formative stage of the building of Sarawak, and contributed a lot in many ways during the period of his service.
“Most of us will remember him for the good he has done and the contributions he has given just like anybody who had been active during that period.
“May God give His mercy and kindness on him,” he said.
Earlier around 9.30am, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg came, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Abang Johari said he had worked under Tajem when Tajem was deputy chief minister, as Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Community Development between 1984 and 1987.
“During that period I learned a lot from him because Dato Sri Tajem delegated some of his work to me as his assistant and there were two areas he asked me to assist him: they were the formation of the Sarawak Fishermen Association and also the Farmers Association.
“These two organisations did not exist before and I had the opportunity of helping him forming these two organisations which today are very important in the development of the state’s agriculture.
“This shows that the late Tajem was willing to share responsibility when he trusts you,” he said. — DayakDaily
