Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing died at Normah Sarawak Medical Centre (NSMC), Petra Jaya here at 7.05am on Sunday (Oct 31). He was 72.
Masing is survived by his wife Puan Sri Corrine Masing and two children.
The PRS president was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Sarawak General Hospital (HUS) in September after he tested positive for Covid-19 and was later transferred to NSMC for follow-up treatment.
Masing who had been Baleh state assemblyman since 1983 started his political career when he joined the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) before joining forces with several other leaders to set up PRS in 2004.
He joined the state cabinet and served as Tourism Minister in 1996. Subsequently he held three other portfolios after defending the Baleh state seat for eight consecutive terms, before being appointed Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister II in Jan 23, 2017.
CHIEF MINISTER DATUK PATINGGI ABANG JOHARI TUN OPENG
I feel very sad when I heard that Masing breathed his last this morning (Oct 31). I certainly feel a great loss not only as a friend but it is also a great loss to the state Cabinet. As a member of the state Cabinet he has contributed a lot to the rural people and the Dayak. He has always been supportive of our management of the state. My colleagues and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.
DATUK AMAR DOUGLAS UGGAH
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister
He was an unrelenting voice of the rural people, so his untimely passing is a loss, not only to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) but also to the Dayak as a whole. With his strong, loud voice he always advocated for the meaningful participation of the Dayak in the government. It is with profound sadness that I received news of his demise.
DATUK SERI FATIMAH ABDULLAH
Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister
It’s a great loss for the state. A long-time politician, he held various ministerial positions in the state government and in the process contributed a lot to Sarawak. We pray that his Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) will remain strong. I am sure he would want that.
DR STEPHEN RUNDI UTOM
Utilities Minister
I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was a respected Iban leader. His death is a great loss to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) as he was the. That means it’s also a loss to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and the Dayak community as a whole. My condolences to the family, and may his spirit rest in peace.
DATUK SNOWDAN LAWAN
PRS Youth chief & Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports
His passing is an immeasurable loss not only to his family but to the state, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and the Dayak community. He was a great leader who was consistent and brave throughout his political career. In PRS he was a fatherly figure to us. He led by example and was most inspiring and vocal until his last breath.
TAN SRI ANNUAR MUSA
Communications and Multimedia Minister (on Twitter)
I have lost a good friend and the country has lost a great leader. I extend my condolences to his family.
FAZZRUDIN ABDUL RAHMAN
Tupong assemblyman
Masing has left a lifetime legacy of pursuit for rural development and the restoration of Sarawak’s eroded rights within the Malaysian federation. Sarawak has lost a great statesman and nationalist. He was a far-sighted leader — in touch with the aspirations of young people.
DATUK DR PENGUANG MANGGIL
Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister
The demise of Masing is a great loss to the state. I have lost a friend who had greatly helped all of us, especially in the state cabinet. May his soul rest in peace. I hope his family will go on bravely without him.
DATUK SERI ALEXANDER NANTA LINGGI
Kapit MP and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister
Masing’s passing is difficult to accept. I knew him well as he was from Kapit like me. He will be dearly missed not only in the political arena but also by the rakyat as a whole. He had always been close to my family, and I looked up to him as a mentor. He and I had grown much closer over the years.
ROBERT LAU HUI YEW
Senator
The first Iban to hold a PhD (Doctorate of Philosophy) in anthropology, he dedicated his life to serving his people and Sarawak. He was a shining example of how education can uplift the welfare and living standard of the people. The last time we were together was a year ago when he came to Sibu to officiate at the ground-breaking for a road from Sungai Bidut to Ng Tutus.
IRENE CHANG
Bukit Assek assemblywoman
I will always remember him for his encouragement and support. When my husband passed away, he came straight to my house to pay his last. He also gave me encouragement for my first debate in the State Legislative Assembly. Although we were from different political parties, he always encouraged me to speak for my voters.
DR ANNUAR RAPAEE
Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing
It was a sad day for Sarawak. He was like a father to me; always giving encouragement. He gave me a lot of advice and guidance over the years. Actually, I learned many things from him, especially when speaking in the State Legislative Assembly. I admired his eloquence when debating and making the closing speeches.
DATUK SEBASTIAN TING
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general
Sarawak has lost a great son, a long serving statesman and a wise leader. My party and I have also lost a true friend. We played together and shared many political views. He was always frank; honest, and spoke his mind without fear or favour.
DATUK TALIB ZULPILIP
Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman)
Goodbye, comrade-in-arms. I’ve lost a friend. We knew each other for a long time since the early 1970s while studying at Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. His leadership was accepted in longhouses and towns, including among professionals and scholars.
DATUK PETER MINOS
Walkikota Kota Samarahan & political observer
He had a mark of a true leader – a mind of his own – and so he did not play it safe all the time. Whenever necessary, he fiercely but sincerely defended the interests of Dayaks and Sarawak, fully knowing that others might not be too happy with what he said.
