ENGKILILI: The late Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Simon Dembab Maja was laid to rest in his home town Selindung, here on Wednesday (Jan 26).

According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion attended the burial ceremony to pay his last respect.

The late Simon was one of the founders of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) in 1973 after being appointed deputy chief minister in the coalition government in 1970 while with the Pesaka Party.

The Sarawak government at the time was the first to be elected through an election with 48 seats and 221 candidates contesting.

The late deputy minister passed away at the age of 85 at a private health facility in Kuching last Saturday, leaving behind his wife Datin Rosalind Siti Jemeni, three children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.