Salang (third left), Kilat (fourth right) and other DCCI members in a photo taken with Ujang (third right) in late 2016.
KUCHING: The demise of Tan Sri Celestine Ujang Jilan has been described as a tragic loss to the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
Its president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum said the late Ujang had been a very good member of DCCI, having served as deputy president for two terms and later on appointed member of its panel of advisors.
“His untimely departure is a tragic loss to the chamber. We will miss his creative thinking in making the chamber not only useful but much more fun for the members.
“The chamber joins his family in mourning for the loss of an illustrious member,” said Salang, who Member of Parliament for Julau.
Meanwhile, DCCI deputy president Kilat Beriak, who took over from Ujang in 2014, said he has the greatest respect and admiration for his predecessor whom he described as his ‘patient mentor’. He said Ujang, as one of the founding members of DCCI, selflessly devoted his time and resources to champion the Dayak business community and make into reality the dreams of DCCI members to participate meaningfully in business, commerce and industry.
“Even when he was ill towards the end of his tenure as deputy president, he continued to actively lead the chamber. The Dayak communities will long remember his passionate contribution to DCCI,” said Kilat.
Ujang passed away at a private hospital here on Wednesday after he reportedly collapsed at home. At the time of his passing, he was still a member of DCCI panel of advisers.
He was DCCI deputy president for two terms from 2008 to 2014 when Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie was its president.
In the political arena, Ujang was also a former Kemena assemblyman, and served in several portfolios in the State Cabinet as well as serving as Speaker in the State Legislative Assembly.
After retiring from politics in 2003, he became actively involved in DCCI and was credited with charting a new direction for the Dayak music industry by coming up with Dayak Music Awards.
A DCCI vice-president Christopher Gira Sambang said Ujang was involved in organising entrepreneurship activities through DCCI to increase Dayak participation in business.
“His passing is a big loss to the Dayak community, as he was also a respected Dayak leader. He was a very humble and approachable person, and a good listener,” said Gira who is Tamin assemblyman.
He said Ujang was also the founding president of Dayak Artistes and Musicians Association (Dama) in 2008 and the subsequent Dayak Music Awards in 2009 was Ujang’s brainchild.
“His contributions extend to the Dayak music industry. The creation of Dayak Music Awards marked a new milestone, and its effect on the industry is felt until today,” he said.