Jabu speaking during the appreciation dinner for him at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Sunday night.
KUCHING: Former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang is confident that his successor Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will be able to fulfil the state’s agenda.
In an emotional address during an appreciation dinner for him at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Sunday night, Jabu also expressed his appreciation to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for appointing Uggah, whom he described as an experienced and capable leader, as the state’s number two leader.
“I am confident that he (Uggah) will do well,” said Jabu, who had been in politics since 1973 when he won unopposed in a by-election for the Skrang-Engkilili seat.
In 1976, Jabu was appointed as the deputy chief minister and has served under three chief ministers: Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and Adenan.
He said the support from BN and PBB throughout his tenure played a vital role in his achievements such as in bringing in developments and eradicating poverty in the rural areas of the state.
By going rural, the government and its supporting agencies will be able to develop and create equal opportunities for the people, he added.
“However, all these require sincere perseverance and loyalty,” said Jabu.
He recalled that during its infancy stage, Salcra received brickbats from the local communities who were oblivious of its main objective of creating a commercial avenue for the rural folks especially the Dayak community.
On another note, he also recalled his childhood days of growing up in a farm and the challenges of making ends meet, especially during the Japanese occupation, which drove him to study hard and persevere to be successful.
“This is also why I have always made it our state government’s top agenda which is to lift up the burden of poverty from the rural community,” he added.
Also speaking was his wife Tan Sri Dato Sri Empiang Jabu, who expressed her gratitude to her husband and family for making her who she is today.
“Without the help from family members, I would not have done the job as I had done so today,” said Empiang, who became the first Dayak woman and the first Bumiputera woman from Sarawak to be conferred with the title of ‘Tan Sri’ in June 2016.
She also thanked members of Sabati (Association of Wives of State Ministers, Assistant Ministers and State Legislative Assembly Members) for giving her the support and assistance during the organising of welfare programmes or activities in the state.
Among those present at the appreciation dinner were Uggah, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Youth and Sports and Solidarity Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and Dayak Cultural Foundation managing trustee Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Jugah.