Law Hieng Ding
KUCHING: Former Science, Technology and Environment Minister Tan Sri Datuk Seri Law Hieng Ding has passed away at around 4.45am on Christmas morning, at the age of 81.
Law, former Sarikei MP and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) deputy president held the post of Minister of Science, Technology and Environment from 1999 to 2004.
When contacted, SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said Law’s demise was a great loss to the state.
“We have lost a great Sarawakian who has done so much for Sarawak while in Cabinet in KL as well as a very loyal and dedicated SUPP party member, who up till recently was still concerned for Sarawak and SUPP,” said Dr Sim.
Law served as MP for 27 years, he added.
Despite having difficulty of expressing himself because of Parkinson’s disease, Law still managed to do what he could for SUPP and fellow Sarawakians, Dr Sim said.
Dr Sim visiting Law and his family members at the latter’s home in Kuala Lumpur.
During the last Lan Berambeh programme in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Sim took the time and the opportunity to visit Law and his wife and family at home.
Law was also an Alma mater of Nanyang University.
He graduated from Nanyang University, Singapore in 1960 with a Bachelor’s degree of Commerce in Accountancy and Banking.
Law started his political career in 1972 and has held the seat for the past six terms.
He was also Nantah Education and Research Foundation as well as chairman or director to a number of public companies and foundations.
Law also launched the country’s Second National Science and Technology initiative in June 2003 in his capacity as Minister for MOSTE, a follow-up to the Science and Technology Policy of 1986.
After graduating from Nanyang University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1961, the Sarawak native returned to his hometown, Sibu, where he served in the district council from 1964 to 1981, as councilor and chairman of the council, and subsequently as MP for Sarikei the following year.
As Minister, he hosted and served as chairman of two successful scientific events in Kuala Lumpur: the international life sciences BioMalaysia 2002, and an international biodiversity convention in 2004. One outcome of the biodiversity convention was the pledge by environment ministers and officials from 123 governments across the globe to establish a worldwide network of protected areas on land within six years and by 2012 in the world’s oceans. An advocate for Sino-Malaysian relations and trade, Tan Sri Law brought to fruition the Sino-Malaysian Friendship Forest in China to commemorate 30 years of Sino-Malaysian friendship.
He also initiated and oversaw the signing of MOU between the Malaysian Government and China Aerospace Agency and is now serving as the Councillor of the Tourism Malaysia China Market Advisory Council.
Law was also the recipient of many professional awards, including the Malaysia Chemistry Institute Honorary Gold Medal award, Malaysia Engineering Institute Honorary Fellowship Award and the Malaysia Quality Institute Gold Medal Award. He also authored a book, Environmental Governance in Malaysia: Insights and Reflections, which was published in 2003.
He continued to serve in the best interests of the state and its people even after he stepped down as an MP in 2004.