KUCHING: Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has today described his father, Tun Abang Openg Abang Sapiee, as a great mentor who had very much influenced him in his public life in later years, first as a politician and head of government.
The Sarawak Premier said his father, Sarawak's first post-Malaysia Governor, always emphasised the importance and significance of education and integrity.
"I think that has been the basis. He taught us in that way," he told reporters after launching the " Gabenor Pertama Sarawak: Tun Openg" biography here today.
Written by the chief executive officer of the New Sarawak Tribune and its Bahasa Malaysia sister paper Suara Sarawak Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir here, the biography was launched in conjunction with Abang Johari's 74th birthday which falls today.
"And that's how you have to pursue your career and your future through upgrading your knowledge.
"That's why, we are talking about the new era and bringing that spirit.
"The spirit is there. When I am given the opportunity to lead, that becomes the basis for us to move forward," Abang Johari said.
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari said his late father knew the importance of education if he wanted to play an effective role in public life.
"When he was posted to Sarikei as a junior officer at the native office, he took up night classes at St Anthony School for his Junior Cambridge.
"This means that he knew knowledge was very important," he said, adding that before World War II broke out, many Bumiputeras were illiterate because of the difficulty of going to school.
He said after passing his Junior Cambridge examination, his father was promoted in the Colonial Civil Service as native officer and later as an Acting Resident.
He said his father was appointed by the Rajah Brooke as a permanent Member of the Council Negeri (Legislative Assembly) in 1941, the post he held until he was appointed as Sarawak's first post-Malaysia Governor in 1963.
"When he was the governor, I used to follow him visiting many rural villages and longhouses during school holidays.
"That was how I learned from him in dealing with the people," he said.
Abang Openg was born on October 7, 1905 and died while in office on March 28, 1969.
He was appointed the governor on September 13, 1963 after Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and Malaya formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.