Dawos contributed much to Sarawak politics: CM
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said former deputy minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit, who died early yesterday from nasal cancer, had contributed a lot to Sarawak politics.
In expressing his condolences to the family of the late Dawos, Abang Johari, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, said the four-term Puncak Borneo MP had also done a lot in his parliamentary constituency.
“We are very sad to hear his (Dawos) demise…It is a loss to us and we sympathise with his family,” he told reporters after officiating at the closing of the two-day International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (Idecs 2019) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), here, yesterday.
Dawos, a former PBB Supreme Council member, died aged 70 and is survived by his wife, Datin Seri Christine Dawung Narub, three sons and seven grandchildren.
Abang Johari is scheduled to pay his last respects to Dawos at his residence in Taman Stutong Indah, here, today.
An environmental scientist by profession, Dawos who was diagnosed with nasal cancer about 10 years ago, was also well known as a promoter of the preservation of the Bidayuh language and culture.
Meanwhile Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah described Dawos as an “old friend” who was very knowledgeable, especially on environmental issues.
“He was my ‘book of reference’ for environment when I was the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and at that time, he was a backbencher,” he said.
He recalled that Dawos had also attended conferences on climate change overseas, including Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009 when he was still a federal minister.
Uggah, who also expressed his condolences, said the demise of Dawos was a great loss to the Bidayuh community and PBB, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) backbone which he had helped build among the Bidayuhs in the state. – Bernama
