By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 31: Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi could not hold back his tears over the demise of the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak.
Speaking to the reporters when met at Tanjong Datu Service Centre today, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) secretary general stressed that the passing of the late Masing, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, is really a sad moment and difficult for him to accept.
Despite being in different political parties under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, Nanta said he knew Masing at a personal level and described the latter as a mentor in politics.
Nanta who is the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister said the late Masing had been very close to his family especially his father, as they came from the same place — Kapit.
He also mentioned that before Covid-19, the late Masing every now and then would call him early in the morning for breakfast and ‘chit chat’ about Kapit and specific matters.
“For myself, I look up to him as a mentor as well and this year, even though we are limited in our mobility due to Covid-19 pandemic, he and I felt we have grown even closer because he would always kept in touch through WhatsApp and through phone calls.
“Therefore, the passing of Tan Sri James is really difficult to accept especially in the manner he has left because in the last one month, we didn’t hear much from him ever since he was tested positive for Covid-19,” he said.
Nanta further stated that the late Masing had been in the political arena for a long time, gone through various phase of political development and was a central figure in the political arena especially in the context of Dayak politics.
“Therefore, I believe he will be greatly missed not only in the political arena but also by the people as a whole especially for us in Kapit.
“Tan Sri James Masing had become inspiration for many young people especially the Dayak people. Of course being in politics there will always be some dissenting views, but majority believed that he had played his part well and personally I feel a great loss although we aren’t in the same party – I’m in PBB and he was in PRS,” he added.
The late Masing, 72, had passed away at 7.05am in Normah Sarawak Medical Centre, Kuching due to complications of Covid-19.
Masing who was also the Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development, tested positive for Covid-19 on Sept 28, having completed his two doses of Covid-19 vaccination.
He had been Baleh assemblyman, for eight consecutive terms since 1983. — DayakDaily
