DEPUTY Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government II (Public Health & Housing), Datuk Michael Tiang, opened up about his early life, inspirations, interests, and the day-to-day realities of being a state assemblyman with the Sarawak Tribune recently.
From his humble beginnings in Sibu to pursuing law in the United Kingdom, Tiang revealed how his lifelong commitment had always been to return home and serve the community that shaped him.
Sarawak Tribune: Can you introduce your background? Like, where are you from?
Tiang: Good afternoon. I’m a Sibu boy, born in Sibu, studied everything in Sibu. Sibu is my hometown, that’s why I love it so much. Since I was young, I was inspired to serve Sibu in any way. I graduated in Sibu, then went to the UK to finish my law degree. After that, I became a lawyer and returned to Sibu. I only wanted to go back and serve Sibu. That has always been my conviction.
Sarawak Tribune: Before this, where did you go to school?
Tiang: Sibu Methodist. Methodist kindergarten, Methodist primary school, Methodist secondary school. Straight-up Methodist school.
Sarawak Tribune: When you were in middle school or high school, what were you active in?
Tiang: I liked group activities. I was in the Boys’ Brigade, I joined the choir, and I played tennis. I enjoyed being in groups because you learn from each other teamwork, discipline. Later when I stepped into society, I joined a political party.
Sarawak Tribune: Did you already have an interest in politics then?
Tiang: Not yet. I was never very interested in politics. When I went to the UK, like most young people, I cared more about pop music than politics. But in 1997, I witnessed the historic change of government when Labour won under Tony Blair. Seeing the energy and new ideas he brought inspired me. It made me realise you can always bring fresh energy into something established.
When I returned home, 1997 was the year of the haze and state of emergency. Then in 1998 came the Asian financial crisis. Being exposed to these crises made me think about how I could contribute to Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. As a young lawyer then, I was exposed to political ideas and reform movements. That period shaped my political awareness.
Sarawak Tribune: Your hobbies?
Tiang: I have many hobbies. I play tennis. If you want to serve your country, you must have good health. I love movies and music of all languages and eras. Even K-pop, though a bit hard to swallow for my age! Lately, I like a young singer called Sombr, his songs like “Back to Friend.” I recently watched Oasis’ reunion concert in Melbourne.
Sarawak Tribune: Your favourite food?
Tiang: Malaysian food. Definitely. Malaysia is a food heaven. When you travel, Japan has Japanese food, Thailand has Thai food, the US has American food. But in Malaysia, even at the airport you get everything: Italian, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Chinese, American. It’s a melting pot. Malaysian food is the best.
Sarawak Tribune: Favourite place to visit?
Tiang: Japan, my top favourite. No bad food, clean, high quality. I also like China because it’s huge and every corner is different. Nothing repeats.
Sarawak Tribune: What’s one thing about an ADUN’s job that most people don’t realise?
Tiang: We have no weekends. Most of my colleagues face the same challenge, we know the dates, but not the days. Monday to Sunday all look the same. If someone tells me “Thursday,” it means nothing. Tell me the date 14th, 23rd then I know.
We often forget if it’s a public holiday. We work round the clock: receiving calls, handling complaints, site inspections. We only rest when we take annual leave. Even during festive seasons, we still work, visiting people, longhouses, and communities. There’s no such thing as a “public holiday” for us.
