SERIAN: The late Datuk Amar Dominic Andrew Dago Randan played a pivotal role in fostering unity within the Bidayuh community, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Serian played a vital role in strengthening unity within the Bidayuh community.
His efforts, Abang Johari added, helped pave the way for a new generation of leaders, including former State Legislative Assembly Speaker, Datuk Seri Robert Jacob Ridu, and others who came after him.
“His contribution towards the unity of the Bidayuh people was significant.
“With that unity, we began to see more Bidayuh leaders coming forward to serve the state,” he told the media after visiting the late Dago’s family residence at Kampung Pichin today.
Abang Johari added that Dago had not only contributed during Sarawak’s pre-independence era but also continued to serve the state after Malaysia was formed.
“He was a member of the Council Negri when Sarawak was still under British rule, and played a major role in giving input during the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
Noting that the late Dago served as the first MP for Serian after independence, Abang Johari said he was also instrumental in the merger of Parti Pesaka and Parti Bumiputera to form Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
On a personal note, the Premier said the late Dago was a peer of his late father, who also served in the Council Negri.
“They were of the same generation. My father used to tell stories about the time he visited Kampung Pichin for a programme where the stage had collapsed during the event,” he recalled.
Dago passed away at the age of 91 last Thursday at his residence in Kampung Pichin here after a brief illness.
He was the first Bidayuh elected to the Dewan Rakyat and played a key role in the formation of Malaysia as a member of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC).
