KUCHING, JAN 10 — Former Sarawak state assembly Speaker Tan Sri Celestine Ujang Anak Jilan died this evening at a private hospital. He was 71.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah confirmed that Ujang died at 7.48pm today after a long illness.
Ujang leaves behind his wife Puan Sri Elizabeth Pawa and their three daughters — Malvina, Angelina and Priscilla.
One of the couple’s daughters is married to Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is also Kapit Member of Parliament.
Ujang was the Speaker from 1981 to 1987.
He served as an administrative officer with the state government from 1966 to 1963 before entering politics in 1974.
In the 1974 state election, he contested the Kemena state seat under the Barisan Nasional ticket and subsequently held the seat until 2001.
He served as minister of land development and minister of housing in the state cabinet.
He was also Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB)’s Youth leader for many years before stepping down from politics in 2001.
After his retirement, Ujang ventured into business and was the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) deputy president.
