KUCHING, July 11: A road next to Jalan Tasik Biru in Bau has been named as Jalan Dr Patau Rubis as a tribute to the former state assistant minister.
Bau District Council named the road after former Tasik Biru assemblyman Dr Patau Rubis in acknowledgement of his contributions towards the development in Bau.
The new road, adjacent to Jalan Tasik Biru, was unnamed until today.
“The Bau Hospital, Bau Civic Centre, Bau Stadium including the balai raya (multipurpose hall), churches, the Siniawan Bypass, the rural electrification and gravity water feed of many areas in Bau, as well as many village roads, were some of the projects approved and implemented during Dr Patau’s tenure as an elected representative and assistant minister.
“We express our thanks to the State Naming Department under the Local Government Ministry and Bau District Council for making this possible,” State Reform Party (STAR) president Lina Soo said in a press statement.
Dr Patau, who passed away in 2016, a day before his 70th birthday, was state assemblyman for Tasik Biru from 1983 to 1996 and Mas Gading MP from 1990 to 1999.
He was also former state deputy finance minister and public utilities minister, before his sacking from the State Cabinet in 1995. Dr Patau formed STAR after he was suspended from the Sarawak National Party (SNAP).
Prior to participating in politics, he was the state deputy director of health, having been appointed to the post in 1982.
Soo, who was at the road signage unveiling ceremony, lauded the decision to name the road after Dr Patau.
“He had made tremendous contributions to the development of Bau, especially when he was serving as assistant minister of works. Dr Patau is an icon in Bau and he deserves to be honoured,” she said.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep officiated at the road naming ceremony.
Dr Patau’s son Sean Rubis, relatives and friends were present at the event along with STAR leaders. — DayakDaily
