KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state has lost a great statesman who contributed a lot to Sarawak and Malaysia with the passing of Tan Sri Abang Ahmad Urai Abang Mohideen.
He said the late Ahmad Urai had served the state and country not only after independence but also during the pre-independence era.
“The Malay community in particular also lost a leader who had contributed a lot to the development of the country and even more to the development of Sarawak,” he said when met by reporters after paying his last respects to the late Ahmad Urai at the family’s residence at Jalan Muda Hashim here today.
“He had also contributed his services in terms of political struggle especially in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and of course PBB also lost a leader who had a lot of experience.
“He was also an assistant minister in the state government led by the late Tun Rahman Yaakub and after that he became a Senator and was Senate president from July 12, 1988 to July 9, 1990 during which he was awarded the title of Tan Sri,” Abang Johari said.
On a personal note, Abang Johari said he had lost an uncle as the late Ahmad Urai was a cousin of his late father.
“Of course we feel the loss of him, who was among the people from the older generation who gave us a lot of advice in terms of how we need to serve the community,” he added.
The late Ahmad Urai died at the Normah Medical Specialist Centre here around 12.30 midnight on Saturday at the age of 89.
