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James Jemut Masing

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Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr.
James Jemut Masing
PSM DA PNBS
Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak
In office
13 May 2016 – 31 October 2021
GovernorAbdul Taib Mahmud
Chief MinisterAdenan Satem
Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari
Preceded byGeorge Chan Hong Nam
Succeeded bySim Kui Hian
ConstituencyBaleh
1st President of the Parti Rakyat Sarawak
In office
21 March 2004 – 31 October 2021
Secretary-GeneralJoseph Salang Gandum
Janang Bungsu
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJoseph Salang Gandum (acting)
Ministerial roles (Sarawak)
2011–2016Minister for Land Development
2016–2021Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation
2017–2021Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development
Faction represented in Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
1983–2018Barisan Nasional
1983–2004Sarawak Native People's Party
2004–2021Sarawak Peoples' Party
2018–2021Sarawak Parties Alliance
Personal details
Born(1949-03-05)5 March 1949
Baleh, Kapit, Crown Colony of Sarawak (now Sarawak, Malaysia)
Died31 October 2021(2021-10-31) (aged 72)
Normah Sarawak Medical Centre, Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Resting placeNirvana Memorial Park, Siniawan, Kuching
Political partyParti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) (1983–2004)
Sarawak Peoples' Party (PRS) (2004–2021)
Other political
affiliations		Barisan Nasional (BN) (2004–2018)
Sarawak Parties Alliance (GPS) (2018–2021)
Spouse(s)
Fiona Frances Henderson
​
​
(m. 1977; div. 1989)​

Corrine Connie Bua Nyipa
​
​
(m. 1992)​
Children5 (2 daughters - Fiona and 1 son 2 daughters - Corrine)
Residence(s)Kuching, Sarawak
Alma materVictoria University of Wellington
Australian National University

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. James Jemut Masing (5 March 1949 – 31 October 2021) was a Malaysian politician who served as the Deputy Chief Minister, State Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development of Sarawak under Chief Ministers Adenan Satem and Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg as well as Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Baleh from May 2016, January 2017 and December 1983 to his death in October 2021 respectively.[1] He was a member of the Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) and later Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), a component party of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition. He also served as President of PRS from its founding in March 2004 to his death in October 2021.

Background

Masing born on 5 March 1949 at Baleh, Kapit, Sarawak, was an ethnic Iban and a Christian.[2] Masing had studied and graduated with B.A. in Education in 1975 from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand under the Colombo Plan Scholarship.[3] He also received both his M.A. in 1978 and Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1981 from Australian National University, the first Iban to achieve that.[2][4]

Political career

Masing started his political career when he joined and climbed to be the Vice-President of the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) before becoming the co-founding and 1st President of the Sarawak Peoples' Party or Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) since 2004 until 2021. Even though he never became a federal Member of Parliament (MP), Masing had served for eight consecutive terms as MLA for Baleh under the two parties from 1983 to 2021. He also rose to be the Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak from 2016 to his death in 2021.[5] He could have contested and perhaps have defended the Baleh seat for the ninth consecutive time if not because of the deferment of a supposedly earlier 2021 Sarawak state election due to 2021 state of emergencies, arising from the 2020–21 political crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his untimely death.[6][7]

Controversies

Masing's reported political persecution of disabled Dayaks and his admission that he and his deputy sought inducements for Native Customary Lands (NCR) exploitation for plantations in 2012.[8] He had also benefited from lucrative Belian timber concessions, huge state contracts, plantation licences on NCR, a partnership with an international oil company and a prized car dealership licence. The Forest Department's information reveals the timber concessions in the Baram were handed out to key political associates of state Barisan Nasional (BN) including Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, local Baram MP, Jacob Dungau Sagan and even his wife Corinne Masing was one of the beneficiaries.[9] His extravangant wealth and luxury mansion had also led to the corruption suspicions as well as allegations.[10]

Masing who was Sarawak's Land Development Minister then, had been blamed for not protecting the NCR lands where Dayak natives who have been residing, carrying out agriculture and traditional living activities in a particular NCR region for generations, which they are granted such NCR lands ownership, albeit the land legally belongs to the state and without a physical individual title.[8] In 2013, Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) reproached, had urged all Dayaks to accept an announcement of a RM30 million fund by the Prime Minister for NCR land perimeter survey under Section 6 of the State Land Code exercise which would keep the NCR as communal reserves land.[11] In 2020 again, Gabungan Anak Sarawak (GASAK) rebuked Masing over the sale of NCR land in Sarawak and comments the natives would become landless if their NCR lands are being surveyed under Section 18 of the State Land Code which instead will allow individual Dayaks owners to have individual titles, rights and authority over that NCR land. Masing was told not to treat the Dayaks as second class Bumiputera and stop making them only ordinary farmers, when he should have been leading the community towards prosperity rather than taking care of the interests of the cronies and the state government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).[12]

Personal life

He was first married to Fiona Frances Masing née Henderson in 1977, but they had divorced in 1989. Together the couple have two daughters, Dr Anna Sulan Masing born in 1981 and Rachel Lian Masing in 1983.[5][13] He married again for the second time in 1992 to Corrine Masing née Bua Nyipa, also known as Connie with whom he had three more children; Karen Julan Masing, Ashley Layo Masing and Emma Maria Masing.[14][15][16]

Death

On 28 September 2021, fully vaccinated Masing tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).[17] He was later transferred to Normah Sarawak Medical Centre (NSMC) in Petra Jaya after his condition deteriorated from Stage 3 to Stage 5,[18] where he succumbed to various complications at 7.05 a.m., on 31 October at the age of 72.[19][20] Further COVID-19 screening test result conducted on his body reported that he died of post-COVID heart conditions.[21][22][23] His remains were brought to his residence at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee for state funeral, service and wake arrangement according to the COVID-19 pandemic standard operating procedure (SOP).[24][25] On 3 November, the remains were transferred to the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS), Jalan Stampin as a ceremony held at Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre for the public to pay their last respects to the late politician.[26][27][28] Among the dignitaries present were Chief Minister Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg and his deputy Douglas Uggah Embas.[29] Masing's remains and coffin was later taken to the Nirvana Memorial Park in Siniawan, Kuching-Bau Road for the last rites whereas a short Christian funeral service in Iban was held before burial and being laid to rest.[15][30]

Election results

Sarawak State Assembly: Baleh, Sarawak[31]
Year Constituency Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
1983 Baleh,
Sarawak 		James Jemut Masing (PBDS) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
N/A (IND) N/A N/A
1987 James Jemut Masing (PBDS) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1991 James Jemut Masing (PBDS) 4,183 67.15% Simon Temenggong Sibat (BN) 1,858 29.83% 6,306 2,325 71.91%
Ngalambong Limbing (IND) 188 3.02%
1996 James Jemut Masing (PBDS) 5,411 87.66% John Pungga (IND) 762 12.34% 6,334 4,649 65.77%
2001 James Jemut Masing (PBDS) 6,378 94.29% Stephen Nyamok Medan (IND) 386 5.71% 6,861 5,992 70.02%
2006 James Jemut Masing (PRS) 5,330 90.99% Lucius Jimbon (SNAP) 528 9.01% 5,956 4,802 61.20%
2011 James Jemut Masing (PRS) 5,242 79.59% Bendindang Manjah (PKR) 1,344 20.41% 6,684 3,898 59.22%
2016 James Jemut Masing (PRS) 5,272 91.67% Agop Linsong (DAP) 479 8.33% 5,820 4,793 60.47%

Honours

Awards and recognitions

  • Guinness Stout Effort Award, 1982.[2]
  • Jaycees Malaysia Award, 1986.[2]

Honours of Malaysia

See also

References

  1. ^ "Official Website Office of the Chief Minister of Sarawak". www.cm.sarawak.gov.my. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d James Alexander Ritchie (23 April 2017). "Amazing Sarawak (Part 4) : First Iban Ph.D." New Sarawak Tribune. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  3. ^ Lian Cheng (12 April 2015). "Connecting with the world through education". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  4. ^ Masing, James (1981). The Coming of the Gods: A Study of an lnvocatory Chant (Timang Gawai Amat) of the lban of the Baleh River Region of Sarawak (PDF). Canberra: Australia National University.
  5. ^ a b "Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister James Masing dies". Bernama. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Joseph Salang taking over PRS' top leadership, Baleh candidacy to be decided at meeting". Dayak Daily. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Sarawak polls: Late Masing's nephew to contest in Baleh". Borneo Post. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b Nigel Edgar (14 July 2013). "Ruling on sale of NCR land among Dayaks in need of review, says Masing". The Star. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Spotlight On Masing - Corruption Exclusive!". Sarawak Report. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Mystery of Masing's Million Ringgit Mansion". Sarawak Report. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  11. ^ "SWP wants Masing to explain benefits of NCR land survey". The Edge Markets. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Gasak rebukes Masing over comments on sale of NCR lands in Sarawak". Malay Mail. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Distribution Of Matrimonial Assets And Maintenance Among Non-Muslims In Malaysia Upon Divorce". S. K. Ling & Tan Advocates. 16 January 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021. Division of Matrimonial Assets (James Jemut Masing v Fiona Frances Masing Nee Henderson [1994] 2 CLJ 39)
  14. ^ "Hard at work". The Borneo Post. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  15. ^ a b James Masing laid to rest at Nirvana Memorial Park. The Borneo Post. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  16. ^ Lam, Tania (3 November 2021). "A doting father dearly missed". New Sarawak Tribune. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  17. ^ "DCM Masing hospitalised after testing positive for Covid-19". Dayak Daily. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  18. ^ Veena Babulal (27 May 2021). "Stages 4 and 5 Covid-19 patients now 15 per cent of total case tally". New Straits Times. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  19. ^ "DCM Masing passes away". Borneo Post. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  20. ^ "James Jemut Masing meninggal dunia" [James Jemut Masing passed away] (in Malay). Astro Awani. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  21. ^ Churchill Edward (31 October 2021). "Report: Masing died of heart complications, latest test negative for Covid-19". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Deputy CM died of heart complications, says Sarawak govt". Malaysia Now. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Passing of Deputy Chief Minister Masing a big loss to Sarawak: Abang Jo". The Sun Daily. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  24. ^ "James Masing dies after battle with Covid-19". Malaysiakini. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  25. ^ Penghormatan terakhir buat mendiang Tan Sri James Jemut Masing [Final respect for late Tan Sri James Jemut Masing]. Astro Awani (in Malay). 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ "Public can pay last respects to Masing on Wednesday". Bernama. New Straits Times. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  27. ^ "Funeral wake for Masing to be held on Nov 3". Dayak Daily. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  28. ^ "Aturcara Upacara Penghormatan Terakhir". FB Dr. James Jemut Masing. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021 – via Facebook.
  29. ^ "Masing arrives at final resting place". The Borneo Post. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  30. ^ James Masing laid to rest after state funeral. The Star. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ "SISTEM PENGURUSAN MAKLUMAT PILIHAN RAYA UMUM". 25 April 2016. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  32. ^ a b c "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia). Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  33. ^ "Masing, Mawan awarded 'Tan Sri' on King's birthday". Sharon Ling. The Star. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  34. ^ "Masing and Uggah now Datuk Amar". The Star. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
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