KUCHING: The funeral mass of the late former Deputy Chief Minister Dato Sri Daniel Tajem will be held at St. Thomas Cathedral at 9am tomorrow to be followed by the burial ceremony at Nirvana Memorial Park in Bau.
Earlier, speaking to reporters after paying his last respects at the late Tajem’s house at Jalan Urat Mata yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg described Tajem as a man who was willing to share responsibilities with anyone he trusted.
According to him, the state has lost a leader in Tajem.
He added during the time when Tajem was a state minister, he had the opportunity to serve under Tajem’s ministry as his assistant.
“During the time Tajem was Minister of Agriculture and Community Development, I learned a lot from him. He delegated some of his works to me,” he said.
Two of the areas that the late Tajem had asked Abang Johari to assist him with were the formation of Sarawak Fishermen’s Association and Farmers’ Association.
He further commented that he was glad to have played a part in forming the two associations together with the late Tajem because the two associations are now very important parts of the state’s agricultural development.
While at the house, Abang Johari also took time to speak to Tajem’s wife Datin Sri Ivy Tajem and their family members.
The late Tajem, 82, died at his residence early Sunday morning. He left behind a wife, three children – Mervyn, 50, Raymond, 47 and Angeline, 44 – and seven grandchildren.
He graduated with LLB from Victoria University, Wellington in New Zealand in 1965 and was the first Iban to become a lawyer.
Tajem was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on March 23, 1981 and he held both portfolios until 1987. He retired from politics in 1987 and was appointed as Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand in 1996 until 2000.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Assistant Minister of Native Laws and Customs Datuk John Sikie Tayai and State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
