KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan was a true statesman who gave his all to the people and the state.
Tawau Journalist Association president Shamry Mohd Sani said the Youth and Sports Minister who succumbed to cancer yesterday was a selfless leader who was dedicated to his calling.
"Even in his final days, he returned to his constituency to deliver a promise he made to families who lost their homes in a fire," Shamry said of a visit Tawfiq made to Kampung Titingan on Feb 24.
In recalling the appearance, Shamry said Tawfiq, who was Apas assemblyman, appeared weak but wanted to make sure he fulfilled his pledge to victims of the fire on Sept 5 last year.
"He said he was not able to sleep well while undergoing treatment in Kuala Lumpur for his illness and worry that he could not fulfil his promise each night.
"On that day when he gave his contribution while seated on a chair and you can see almost everyone weeping with sadness and touched by his kindness," said Shamry of the event where Tawfiq handed RM1,000 each to 85 families.
The minister had even asked for forgiveness because he was not able to serve his constituents well because he was sick but assured that he will be strong for them.
At the time Tawfiq was quoted as saying; “I wanted to go down to the ground but my doctors told me not to. I came to see all of you not because I am Tawfiq but its a promise I made as an Umno and Barisan Nasional leader.”
In the gathering, 307 families also received assistance in the form of zinc sheets to repair their homes, 330 received basic aid and one resident received a wheelchair.
Tawfiq died after battling cancer the last eight months at Prince Court hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
Born on Oct 2, 1962, Tawfiq is the 10th out of 14 siblings. He graduated as a chemistry engineer from Glamorgan University in Wales and worked for an oil and gas company in Labuan in 1987 before joining Sarawak Shell Berhad in Miri, Sarawak.
Tawfiq became active in politics from1995 and become Tawau Umno youth chief three years later before being appointed as State Umno youth chief between 2000 and 2003.
In the 2004 election, he won Apas seat and became Assistant Sabah Rural Development minister and assistant State Finance minister from 2008 to 2013. He was appointed Youth and Sports Minister after retaining his seat in the last election.
Tawfiq left behind Datin Sharifah Rahmah Syed Ali and four children.