KUCHING: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition lost a prominent leader, who had placed the interests of the people above politics, with the passing of Tan Sri James Masing.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said the dayak community has lost someone who had always looked out for their betterment in all aspects.
He was also "a strong loud voice" that always advocated for the Dayak's meaningful participation in the government and (sought to) empower the largest (Dayak) community in Sarawak.
"It is with profound sadness that I came across the very disheartening news first thing this morning," he said on the passing of the Deputy Chief Minister.
Masing, 72, passed away after a brief illness at the Normah Medical Centre at about 7.05am today.
He said Masing, who was also the state's Infrastructure and Ports Development Minister, had been a great forward thinking leader and the undisputed voice of the rural people.
"He was a longhouse boy from the interiors of Baleh, who, through education, had made it to the top in the state political leadership by sheer determination, dedication and sense of service to the rural community and Sarawakians.
"He had empowered them through the politics of consultation and mutual respect and meaningful participation in the government from the BN to now the GPS," Uggah said.
Meanwhile, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian recalled that he first met and knew Masing when they were both in the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) in the 1980s.
"We went through some challenging struggles together, PBDS being in the opposition in those days. Although our political paths diverged after that, we remained as friends and enjoyed cordial chats whenever we met at the state legislative assembly," he said.
Baru said Masing was also very vocal about the need to speed up the Covid-19 vaccination in Sarawak, especially the rural areas, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Besides, he moved a ministerial motion in the state legislative assembly, incorporating the motion by Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How to reject the Territorial Sea Act 2012 to preserve and uphold Sarawak's territorial integrity in 2016, which was passed unanimously.
"Masing had a heart for Sarawak and Sarawakians. His departure is a great loss to the state," he added.
Masing, the eight-term Baleh state assemblyman since 1983, started his political career when he joined the now defunct PBDS.
He joined forces with several other leaders to set up PRS in 2004, which later became part of Barisan Nasional (BN). He has led the party since then.
Masing joined the state cabinet and served as Tourism Minister in 1996 and subsequently held three other portfolios before being appointed Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister in 2017.