Demise of ‘visionary’ Andrew a great loss to Sarawak, says Dr Sim

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Dr Sim addresses reporters. Looking on is Lau.

SIBU: The late Dato Andrew Wong was a visionary leader whose demise is a great loss to Sarawak, according to Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said Andrew’s sudden passing came as a big shock to him, more so because he saw Andrew as a healthy and active person.

“He was a young man with immense potential for doing great things. I was last in contact with him towards the end of last year, when we exchanged messages via WhatsApp,” said Dr Sim to reporters here yesterday during a Chinese New Year visit to Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau.

Extending his condolences to Andrew’s parents, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and Datin Sri Pauline Leong and their family, Dr Sim said he was scheduled to return to Kuching after a function here, but would be back here again today (Feb 13) to pay his last respects.

Andrew, 43, was found unconscious in his bedroom on Sunday night by his mother, and pronounced dead about two hours later.

The former Sibu Municipal Council deputy chairman was the only son of Wong and Leong.

The wake is being held at Nirvana Memorial Park here today from 9am to 5pm, while cremation will be tomorrow (Feb 14) at 8am after a service.