KUCHING, May 28 — Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said late former deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Daniel Tajem had guided him when they were both in the Agriculture and Community Development Ministry more than 30 years ago.

The an assistant minister, he said he learnt much from Tajem, who had been a federal minister as well as the deputy chief minister in the 1980s.

"As his assistant, he entrusted me to form the Sarawak Fishermen's Association and the Sarawak Farmers' Organisation, which now are playing an important role in the development of the agriculture sector in the state,” he told reporters after paying his last respects to the late Tajem at his residence at Tabuan Jaya here.

Abang Johari said Sarawak lost a leader who put the interest of the people at heart in Tajem.

"To me, I have lost a good friend and a person who had shared knowledge with me,” he said.

Among those who paid their last respects today were Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak Speaker Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nasar and former deputy chief minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.

Separately, Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian described Tajem as man of principle who genuinely wanted to help the Dayaks prosper.

"In all his actions, he was insistent on acting within the law, and in doing what was right. We were together in PBSD (Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak) until it was de-registered in 2004,” he said.

Baru, who is also Selangau member of parliament, said Tajem fought as a lawyer for the native customary rights of the people to be recognised.

Tajem, 82, died at about 8am yesterday after complaining of backache.

On March 23, 1981, he had been appointed Sarawak deputy chief minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Community Development, the post he held until 1987.

In 1983, he and a group led by former federal minister Tan Sri Leo Moggie Moggie had formed Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) after they left SNAP following a leadership crisis.

In 1996, Tajem had been appointed the Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand, which he remained until August 16, 2000.

He retired from active politics after PBDS was deregistered in 2004 following a leadership tussle between him and Tan Sri Dr James Masing.