Former deputy minister Bujang Ulis dies

 February 4, 2014

He will be remembered as a friendly and approachable minister for Sarawakian students who studied in Kuala Lumpur during his days as deputy education minister - Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Maimunah (centre) flanked by her daughters at Bujang’s grave during the burial ceremony at the Samariang Muslim cemetery yesterday.

KUCHING: Datuk Bujang Ulis the former Deputy Education Minister and three-term Member of Parliament of Simunjan, died in his house at Kpg Semariang Jaya, Petra Jaya early yesterday morning at the age of 66.

Bujang had also served as Deputy Primary Industries Minister from 1980 to 1983 before becoming Deputy Education Minister from 1984 to 1986. He was a former vice-president of PBB and MP for Simunjan from 1978 to 1990.

Simunjan parliamentary constituency has been re-delineated into a state seat.

He quit PBB in 1987 with several other leaders to form Persatuan Rakyat Malaysia Sarawak (Permas).

Prior to his political career, Bujang was a teacher. He taught at SMK Simunjan, SMK Tun Openg and was the principal of SMK Three Rivers school in Mukah.

Among those who paid their last respects to the former MP was one of his former students Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais who ironically is the state assemblyman of Simunjan.

Naroden remembered his former teacher as a down to earth and jovial man.

Naroden, who is also Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) told The Borneo Post that he last spoke to Bujang last Friday at around 9.30pm to invite him to attend his son’s wedding the following Saturday morning.

He recalled the former deputy education minister sounded fine and was in a jovial mood then.

“His last words were ‘Terima kasih banyak banyak kerana masih ingat dengan Cikgu (Thank you for still remembering teacher).”

Asajaya assemblyman and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also paid tribute to the late Bujang yesterday.

“It can be seen today. Many from Simunjan and Gedong came down to Kuching to pay their last respects. He will be deeply missed.

“He will be remembered as a friendly and approachable minister for Sarawakian students who studied in Kuala Lumpur during his days as deputy education minister,” said Karim who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development.

Other state dignitaries who paid their last respects to the former MP yesterday were, Tourism Assistant Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip as well as Semariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali (who is also political secretary to the chief minister), former Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Jamil Johari and former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Ahmad Urai Abang Mohideen.

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar conveyed his condolence to the family and expressed sadness over the demise of Bujang.

“Although he quit PBB in 1987. I always see him as a friend,” said Wan Junaidi to reporters at the Santubong Parliamentary Constituency Service Centre Jalan Kulas here yesterday.

“We feel the loss of a person who had managed to open up the minds of the people and politicians alike,” he added.

Bujang left behind his wife Maimunah Sebli, 58, and seven daughters aged from 12 to 36. Bujang had nine daughters but two of them died in a fire which razed their house in Batu Kawa in 1998.

He was buried at the Samariang Muslim cemetery at 2pm yesterday in a ceremony attended by more than 100 family members and friends.

According to Maimunah, Bujang suddenly collapsed on the bed around 1am before medics, who rushed to his residence 30 minutes later, pronounced him dead.

“He did not suffer from any chronic disease and our family take his demise as fate,” said Maimunah when met before the burial ceremony.