KUCHING: Sarawak has lost one of its most respected elder statesmen with the passing of Datuk Amar Dominic Andrew Dago Randan, a prominent Bidayuh leader.
He was 91 and notably served as the first Bidayuh Member of Parliament (MP) for Serian as well as the former Chairman of the Sarawak State Public Services Commission (SPANS).
Dago left behind his wife, Datin Amar Mary Margaret Lenuh, and six children, comprising three sons and three daughters.
According to his son-in-law, Dr Pubalan Muniandy, in his Facebook posting, the late Dago passed away peacefully at 4:15 am today at his residence in Kampung Pichin, Serian, following a brief illness.
“The gentle giant of the Bidayuh community, ex-MP for Serian and Public Services Chairman, has moved on. Our family and I will deeply miss him. Most people who knew him have nothing but kind words for him.
“Rest in peace, Abai. He was to my best knowledge 91 years of age,” he said.
Throughout his distinguished career in politics and public service, Dago, who was born on August 4, 1934, left a lasting legacy of humility, wisdom and unwavering dedication to Sarawak’s development, particularly in uplifting the Bidayuh community.
Described by those who knew him as a kind and principled leader, Dago was instrumental in Sarawak’s early political evolution and served as a voice of the Bidayuh during the formation of Malaysia.
His tenure in public service, especially as SPANS Chairman from March 15, 1971, to December 1973, was marked by a strong commitment to good governance and civil service integrity.
After he retired from active politics, he continued to serve the government and the Bidayuh community in various capacities, including as a political secretary to the Chief Minister and as a Temenggong for the Bidayuh Community.
He was a member of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) and president of DBNA (1973-1975).
He was also the founder of St Dominic Primary School at Kampung Pichin, and its first headmaster in 1955.
In 2019, he was honoured with the prestigious title of ‘Datuk Amar’ and received the Sarawak Independence Commemorative Award, in recognition of his contributions, during the state’s golden jubilee celebration commemorating 50 years of independence within Malaysia.
For his contribution for the formation of Malaysia, he was bestowed with Anugerah Tokoh 1Malaysia in 2009 and Pengasas Perjuangan Kemerdekaan, and the special gold medal in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee of Sarawak’s Independence.
His wake is being held at his residence at No.1 Kampung Pichin from Thursday until Sunday.
The funeral service will be held on Monday (May 19) at Trinitas Kudus Church Kampung Pichin at 9:00 am and thereafter he will be laid to rest at Kampung Pichin Cemetery.
The wake of the late Dago at his residence in Kampung Pichin.
