KOTA KINABALU: The passing of our former Head of State, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah Bin Abdullah, is truly a sad loss because Sabah has lost a dedicated servant and leader of the people of Sabah.
As a senior Sabah government officer, Datuk (as he then was) Ahmadshah, in the 1980s and 1990s, has served with excellence, dedication and diligence.
As Chief Minister in 1996 to 1998, I had once mentioned, in private, to the then State Secretary, Tan Sri Khalil Jamalul, that “I wish I have more officers like Datuk Ahmadshah.” At the time, Tan Sri Khalil was the immediate superior to Datuk Ahmadshah, who was then the Deputy State Secretary.
It was only when I, as part of the Global Hakka (Global Union for Tshung Tsin and Hakka Association) delegation paying a courtesy call on Tun Ahmadshah in 2005 at Istana, that Tun Ahmadshah revealed to me that Tan Sri Khalil had told him about my wish that (in those original words): “I wish I have more officers like him.” Tun Ahmadshah said he was motivated by my sincere words of encouragement.
My heartfelt condolences to Toh Puan and family on the passing of Tun Ahmadshah. May Tun Ahmadshah, as he is affectionately known, rest in peace.
Datuk Yong Teck Lee
Former Chief Minister 28 May 1996 – 27 May 1998
-pr/BNN
