KUCHING: The father of former Works Minister Dato ‘Sri Fadillah Yusof, the late Hj Yusof Haji Merais, 91, was laid to rest at the Samariang Islamic Cemetery at 9.40am, here yesterday.
The late Yusof breathed his last at his residence at Lorong 1B1, PJ Heights at 3.30pm on Tuesday (October 23).
His remains were placed at Taman Sukma Mosque at 9.15am yesterday before being taken to the Samariang Islamic Cemetery at 9.40am for burial.
He left his wife, Dayang Rosnah Abang Madeli, 87 and Fadillah was the ninth of 14 siblings, one of whom died at the age of seven.
The late Yusof was a freedom fighter (pejuang masyarakat) during the Sarawak anti-colonial era in 1946 and was also a dear friend of the late Rosli Dhoby.
The late Yusof, who fought with Rosli Dhoby, was jailed twice, when he was involved in the conspiracy leading to the assassination of British Governor Sir Duncan George Stewart in Sibu in 1949.
Born in Sibu on 5 October 1927, the late Yusof had joined the Malay Youth Movement (PPM) against Sarawak’s submission to the British and, also involved in the Black Crows group who opposed the invadership and demanded Sarawak independence.
After PPM was banned following the assassination of Governor Sir Duncan George Steward, the late Yusof continued his struggle in the Sarawak Youth Leader led by former Sarawak Head of State, the late Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce.
He had worked for himself before becoming a supervisor of the Department of Community Development (KEMAS). The second time he was imprisoned was during the Malaysian Formation of Confederation in 1962.
Among the dignitaries present during the burial ceremony were the former Head of State, Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng and his wife, Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah.
Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya Member of Parliament, was in Kuala Lumpur to attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday but managed to return to Kuching late yesterday evening for the burial.
