KUCHING: Many of the dignitaries met at the state funeral remember Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub as a leader with great attributes – one of which was that he was a man of vision.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the man was her icon during her school days because he was a great speaker.
She recalled how he was able to captivate the audience, from the beginning of his speech up to the end, without fail every time.
“He was really a great speaker. Not many people, especially politicians, who could speak like him. Not many could get people to listen attentively to their speech from beginning to end – he could,” she said. She acknowledged that Rahman Yakub had held many portfolios at state and federal levels, thus contributing a lot to the people and the nation.
“His contributions have paved the way for us, the new politicians. I will always remember him advice to me: ‘As politicians, we have to be humble when meeting the people – it will bring you a long way’.”
For Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, words just could not express what Rahman Yakub had done for Sarawak.
“We appreciate all along what he had contributed towards the development of the state, not just as a chief minister but also as a Yang di-Pertua Negeri.”
State Immigration Department director Datu Robert Lian said Rahman Yakub was a well-spoken chief minister and he had led Sarawak through some very challenging times.
“I remember him as a humble person and he was very good with people. He could recognise everyone – from lowest rank to highest of positions. He could even remember some villagers by their names.
“He talked to ordinary people like they were part of his family. It’s very rare to see a person of his stature being so humble.”
Robert also described Rahman Yakub’s leadership as one that was ‘very proactive’.
Sarawak Tourism Federation advisor and former State Legislative Assembly (DUN) secretary, Lim Kian Hock, reiterated the acknowledgment of the commanding state figure as being a ‘man of vision’.
According to him, it was Rahman Yakub who opened up Petra Jaya and built the old DUN Complex, which was declared open by then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong back in 1973. The former chief minister also commissioned the building of Wisma Bapa Malaysia, which is still the seat of many state government departments.
“So this area (Petra Jaya) was opened up by him. Otherwise we would not have this area,” said Lim, who was DUN secretary from 1980 to 1993, and 1997 to 1999.
Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman noted that it was Rahman Yakub who had started rural transformation in the 1970s – one of which was the opening up of Petra Jaya.
“Long ago, this area was just a jungle. By opening up Petra Jaya, he had provided a platform for rural development, which was then continued by the next chief minister (current Head of State) Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud,” he said.
Daud also mentioned Rahman Yakub’s uniqueness in that he had successfully brought political unity in the state.
“He had established that platform (for political unity) which remains till today.”
Chinese community leader Temenggong Lu Kim Yong said while he was deeply saddened by Rahman Yakub’s passing, the man would forever be remember by the people for his contribution in education and development of Sarawak.
“I believe that his greatest contribution was the restoration of peace after the communists surrendered to the state in the 1970s.
“We are deeply saddened to learn about his passing. We are extending our heartfelt condolences to his family. May he rest in peace,” he said.