KUALA LUMPUR: The death of Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing was a great loss for Sarawak and Malaysia, but especially for the Dayak communities.
Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said he was shocked by the news of Masing’s death and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the respected Dayak leader’s family.
“He was a good friend… we started together in the 1980s to talk about Sabah and Sarawak issues as part of the Institute for Strategic n International Studies (ISIS) Forum.
“We were joined by other professionals and intellectuals from the Bornean States including Tan Sri Leonard Linggi Anak Jugah,” he said.
Kitingan who is also the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister said Masing’s rise to prominence in the local political scene saw him become one of the most important Dayaks personalities who reached the pinnacle of success.
Yet, Masing has never forgotten his friends or those who fought alongside him for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak.
“In fact, he was the first leader to call me and congratulate me on my maiden speech in Parliament in 2018.
“The Dayak communities in Sabah and Sarawak will miss him for his courage, leadership and personally for me, his friendship over the years,” he said.-pr/BNN
