KUCHING, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud paid the ultimate tribute to the late Tun Jugah anak Barieng when he said the visionary leader would be remembered as Sarawak's greatest hero.

He said the man had brought changes to the people, especially when he fought to bring the bumiputra community out of the ebb of poverty through education.


"The late Tun Jugah was a brave and far-sighted leader who took Sarawak to form Malaysia, and his wisdom to mobilise the people to develop the state in line with Malaysia.

"I will continue the struggle of the late Tun Jugah to ensure Sarawak continues as a stable, united and progressive state," he said when speaking at a programme to commemorate Tun Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Temenggong Jugah Barieng.

The programme was organised by the National Archives, Tun Jugah Foundation and the Sarawak State Library here today.

He said the spirit of Tun Jugah to change the fate of the people through political stability and tolerance, from the colonial era to Malaysia's formation, should serve as a model to the leaders.

Among the major services of Tun Jugah, who hailed from a longhouse in Merirai Kapit, was to garner the support of local leaders in Sarawak to agree to joining Malaya, Singapore and Sabah and form Malaysia.

He was also one of the signatories from Sarawak in the Formation of Malaysia Agreement signed on July 9, 1963 in London.

Prior to 1962, Tun Jugah was also the founder of the Parti Pesaka Anak Sarawak (Pesaka) and later led the Sarawak Alliance to fight for independence through Malaysia.

Tun Jugah died on July 8, 1981 at the Sarawak General Hospital. He was 78.

On Jan 29, 1985, the Tun Jugah Foundation was established with the objective of commemorating his services and contributions in his lifetime. -- BERNAMA