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KUCHING, Sept 10: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang paid their last respects to former Katibas assemblyman, the late Dato Sri Ambrose Blikau Enturan, at the latter’s residence in Tabuan Dusun here today.
Speaking to the reporters at the residence, Abang Johari expressed sadness over Ambrose’s passing, while paying tribute to him as a loyal friend, colleague and leader especially in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
“He was with us particularly in PBB through thick and thin. When we experienced crisis, he stayed together with other Iban leaders in PBB and defended PBB; defending the way we should govern the country in a multiracial way and I think he has contributed a lot.
“He has been the secretary-general of PBB and also during that time, he was also trying to get all parties in the then Barisan Nasional (BN) in one spirit and to have particularly our then Chief Minister (Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud) and our group, to develop the country particularly the rural areas,” he said.
Abang Johari who is the incumbent PBB president further mentioned that Song has improved rapidly during the late Ambrose’s term of service until he announced his retirement in politics prior to the 2021 Sarawak Election.
“He served Song until the last election where he felt that he was not that healthy so he gave way for the young leader Lidam Assan, as our candidate in the last election.
“Not only that, he had been running our Hornbill Skyways as well as Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas). He has done a lot for Saberkas.
“I was the then president of Saberkas and we worked very well as a team so we really lost a friend, a colleague and a leader. May he rest in peace,” Abang Johari added.
Also present today were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and his wife Datin Amar Doreen Mayang, former Sarawak minister and former Kapit MP Tan Sri Leonard Linggi Jugah, and Chief Political Secretary to the Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
The late Ambrose, 70, passed away at Normah Medical Specialist Centre around 8.05am yesterday (Sept 9) due to lung infection.
Ambrose had served as an assemblyman for Katibas constituency, serving two terms from 1979 to 1987 and later an impressive seven consecutive terms from 1991 to 2021.
He had also previously served in the Sarawak Cabinet as Assistant Minister of Resource Planning from 1987 to 2000, Assistant Minister of Finance (2001 to 2006), and as Assistant Minister of Rural Development and Public Utilities (2006 to 2009).
Ambrose is survived by his wife Datin Sri Marie Therese Mathias, two sons, a daughter, and eight grandchildren. – DayakDaily
