James Wong, a man who appreciated the importance of multiracialism
Posted on July 20, 2011, Wednesday
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan
Nancy Shukri
KUCHING: Being a man who recognised the beauty and importance of multiracialism, the late Datuk Amar James Wong Kim Min always believed that the state would become some sort of a paradise if the solidarity and understanding of all races were maintained.
This was what Second Planning and Resources Management Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan had to say about the state’s first deputy chief minister who passed away on Monday.
“We are going to miss him. He was a great family friend and our family knew each other,” said Awang Tengah who is also Bukit Sari assemblyman when met at the wake of the late Wong at his residence at Jalan Tengah off Jalan Green here yesterday.
Stating that Wong was a very straight forward man, he also mentioned that the former Sarawak National Party (SNAP) president was very firm but accommodative.
Recalling an incident years ago when he was still assistant minister, Awang Tengah highlighted the time when he advised Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to relocate the site for the new Limbang airport.
Originally, to be located at Tedungan, he found out that the location would be too close to the border of Brunei and this would cause traffic congestion. Hence, Awang Tengah suggested that the location be moved to its present site today which was met with far less enthusiasm from Wong.
Meanwhile, Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri when met at the wake, said: “For a man who has created a lot of history for the state, his passing is a great loss to all of us. He was among the pioneers that helped get the state involved in the formation of Malaysia.
“We feel deeply for his death as he has been a great warrior, we cherish his experience and the colourful events of his life.”
She also hoped that more people like the late Wong would emerge in the future to be great role models for the people of Sarawak and nation as a whole.
