By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, April 23: The passing of Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong, a prominent business leader and community figure who played a significant role in the development of the Chinese community in Sarawak, has been described as a great loss to both the State and the community.
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing said Lau’s death has left an irreplaceable void, noting his lifelong dedication to public service, business development, and community affairs.
“Lau had devoted himself wholeheartedly to community work throughout his life, fulfilling his responsibilities with commitment and earning widespread respect and admiration for his contributions to the growth of the Chinese community in Sarawak.
“The passing of Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong is a great loss to the Chinese community,” he shared in a post on his social media after leading colleagues from PDP to pay their last respects to the late Lau, who is also the father of Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker and Lanang MP Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, today.
Tiong added that Lau’s departure was deeply regrettable and left a gap that would be difficult to fill.
“I sincerely hope that the Chinese community will carry forward his spirit and continue to serve society with commitment, especially in contributing to the development of the nation and Sarawak, working together for the common good,” he said, while extending condolences to Lau’s family and wishing them strength during their time of grief.
Lau passed away on April 21 at the age of 75.
He was the president of the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and deputy president of the Sarawak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), and was widely regarded as a key figure in Sibu’s business community.
Lau reportedly fell ill on Sunday night while travelling on a flight from Taiwan to Kuala Lumpur.
Born on January 28, 1951, in Nanga Tada, he grew up in a riverine environment where he developed expertise in shipbuilding and navigation, later rising to become a respected entrepreneur and community leader.
Beyond business, Lau was also active in politics, having served as Pahlawan branch chief of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), which later became PDP. He was later appointed as the party’s Sarawak Central Region chairman following the transition. — DayakDaily
