LUNDU: The passing of Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, is really difficult to accept, said Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
“His passing is saddening. I knew him as we are both from Baleh in Kapit.
“He will be dearly missed not only in the political arena but also by the rakyat as a whole, especially those in Kapit,” said the MP Kapit.
Nanta recalled that Masing had been in politics for a long time and had gone through various phases of political development.
“In the context of Dayak politics, he has been someone who was a central figure in the political arena. On top of that, he had become an inspiration for many young people, especially the Dayaks.
“As a politician, Masing played his part well. I feel a great loss. Even though we are not in the same party, he had always been close to my family, and I looked up to him as a mentor,” he said.
He revealed that despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and limited mobility – this year especially – he and Masing had grown much closer than before.
“We have always been in touch through WhatsApp and phone calls. Even before the pandemic, now and then, he would call me up for breakfast and talk about Kapit or any other specific matter.
“His passing is difficult to accept, especially when he left in that manner. In the last month, ever since he tested positive, we did not hear much from him,” he said.
