SIBU: Tributes have poured in for former deputy chairman of Sibu Municipal Council Datuk Andrew Wong Kee Yew who died suddenly at 11pm last Sunday.
President of Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce Dr Hii Sui Cheng said the town had lost a capable young man in Andrew.
“I felt very sad to hear of his demise. Just a couple of days earlier during the Chinese New Year, we were talking about agriculture for the central region,” he recalled.
Dr Hii said Andrew had a big plan for Sibu but unfortunately, he could not carry it out due to his death.
“I am certain that given time, his plan would benefit Sibu and the central region of Sarawak. Many of us, especially youths who are his team members will miss his presence and enthusiasm.
“He was a leader in the making, but now he has left a vacuum which will be difficult to fill,” said Dr Hii, who extended his deepest condolences to Andrew’s parents Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and Datin Seri Leong Poh Lin.
A SMC councillor Connie Loh, said people who knew Andrew would remember him as a warm, loving and cheerful person.
“He had a very good heart and was a generous and helpful person, someone who would help anybody in need. I believe he will be missed by many here in Sibu,” she said.
Like many people, Connie was shocked by Andrew’s sudden death and she prayed for the well-being of his family.
A community leader Kapitan Eric Wong said Andrew was like the late Datuk Robert Lau.
“Datuk Robert, during his time as council chairman, instituted many changes in the town. Unfortunately people gave him bad credit.
“But after he died (April 2010), the people finally realised that what he had done was for the good of Sibu.
“In the case of Andrew, it is also the same thing. He did many good things for Sibu but people did not give him credit,” he said.
He remembered when Andrew was awarded the title of Datuk in 2015 by the Head of State, he received a lot of negative comments from the people who did not realise that the title was for his immense contributions to this town.
Eric said the town needed people like Robert and Andrew who played by the rules to get things done.
“We need people like them to get things done for Sibu and not those who will compromise with others and in the end, not much could be achieved for the town,” he said.
Eric said during many community service activities, he found that Andrew always put all his efforts into developing Sibu by getting the required funds from the state government.
