Members of the Azam Sarawak delegation led by William (centre) pose for a group photo after paying their last respect to Taib at DUN Complex today.
KUCHING (Feb 22): A delegation from Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak joined in a solemn ceremony for the late former Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building here today.
Led by Azam chairman Datu William Patrick Nyigor, the delegation gathered at the DUN with other mourners around 9.30am to pay their last respects to Taib, who was also Azam Sarawak patron.
William expressed his profound sorrow at the passing of Taib, highlighting the immense loss felt by Azam Sarawak.
“It is a great loss for Azam Sarawak because he was the founder of Azam with the vision and wisdom to establish Azam 41 years ago,” he told The Borneo Post when met at the ceremony.
He further acknowledged Taib’s invaluable contributions and unwavering trust in Azam Sarawak, particularly in its role as a communication development agent, especially in rural areas, which propelled it to become one of the leading NGOs since the 1980s.
Reflecting on Taib’s vision, William recalled the former’s speech delivered during the official establishment of Azam on March 26, 1983, which underscored the organisation’s mission to leverage communication science in development initiatives in Sarawak and Malaysia.
He emphasised how Azam evolved over time to align with changing policies and societal needs, aiming to bridge the gap between the government and the community, leveraging media influence to foster effective communication strategies.
“His (Taib) vision was instrumental in shaping Azam’s trajectory. The original idea behind Azam’s establishment stemmed from the necessity for effective communication strategies to engage the community in government development plans,” he added.
Since its inception, William said that Azam Sarawak has been at the forefront of organising various programmes aimed at community development, including seminars on Development Communication, Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands, grassroots leadership, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, agricultural commercialisation, environmental sustainability and youth development.
Currently, its programmes include Digital Empowerment, aligning with the state’s current development agenda.
Azam deputy chairman Dato Norhyati Ismail and Azam Board member Prof Dr Margaret Chan were among those present alongside staff members and Azam CEO Lelia Sim Ah Hua, head of Finance & Administration Dayang Intanwathy Abang Salleh and Community Development officer Yaana Singkie.
Representatives from Sarawak Development Institute (SDI) including its deputy general manager Rosalind Wong and head of Research Unit Kamaruddin Sajeli as well as Sharifah Nadhirah Wan Teredi from Faradale Holding were also in the delegation.
