KUCHING: Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg remembers former state minister, Tan Sri Celestine Ujang Jilan as a man who was both fair and firm. “On behalf of the state government, my colleagues and I, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences on the loss of our great stateman.
“He has contributed a lot to Sarawak and I must say that I, personally, and the rest of us, have had the privilege of working with him,” he said. Johari added that the late Ujang was not only a leader, but also a friend who had helped make Sarawak what it is today together with other leaders.
“We were for tunate and learned a lot from him as he knew the needs of stability,” said the CM during a press conference while attending the wake of the former state minister here yesterday.
Also present was the Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who said that the Dayak community had lost a great leader. “He was a veteran who has contributed immensely to the development of the Dayak community and Sarawak in general.
“This was especially at the time when poverty was still a big issue in Sarawak and he played a big role to make sure that it won’t be a burden to the people.
“He was a nice person who was very friendly and very committed towards unity,” added Uggah. Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof also offered his condolences to the family of the late Ujang through a press statement.
“His loss is felt not only by his family, but by the whole of Sarawak in general,” he said. Also present during the wake were Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, ministers and assistant ministers.
