SIBU, Feb 13: Young people should strive to emulate essential leadership values and follow in the footsteps of the late Datuk Andrew Wong Kee Yew who was a humble and hardworking man with a heart for the people.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this when approached by reporters after paying his last respects to the late Andrew and extending his deepest condolences to Second Finance Minister Dato Seri Wong Soon Koh and wife Datin Seri Pauline Leong, at Nirvana Memorial Park at Oya Road here today.
“In his last day and even during the Chinese New Year, he spent his time meeting people in the longhouse. That showed his concern and efforts in wanting to do what he had in mind (for the community),” he said.
Abang Johari described the late Andrew, who was a former Sibu Municipal Council deputy chairman, as a model young man who had energy, passion and vision to transform the society of Sarawak towards modernity whilst preserving cultural identity.
“We have lost a highly potential leader, particularly in Sibu. We know Dato Andrew very well as he had contributed a lot especially in the field of education. He was the one who initiated the setting up of Laila Taib College and UCTS (University College of Technology Sarawak),” he said, expressing sadness over Andrew’s untimely demise.
He added that the late Andrew was also very much concerned about the future of the state, in particular, development for Sibu.
“He had great plans for Sibu. When he was the deputy chairman, I discussed with him on the direction for Sibu including the services sector and the economy,” he shared.
“Sibu’s hinterland is the Rajang River and he had an idea to transform, a new dimension in terms of developing Sibu together with the hinterland. He agreed with me of the need to upgrade the infrastructure in the hinterland and rural areas,” he said.
As such, Abang Johari pointed out that the younger generation should take its cue from what the late Andrew had done and follow in his footsteps especially in having a heart and passion to voluntarily help people.
“He was also active in raising awareness about cancer as it is one of the biggest killers affecting the health of Malaysians. This showed the character of Andrew,” he commended.
He also advised the youth, saying that having ideas and visions alone was not enough as there must be a holistic and actionable plan coupled with wisdom, intelligence, technical awareness, and the ability to execute and get things done.
Abang Johari was accompanied by his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. — DayakDaily
