Finally, on April 1, Lo Khere Chiang, stepped down after 12 years as the chairman of Padawan Municipal Council (MPP).
It is not easy for Lo, who is Batu Kitang assemblyman, because the role is suitable for him.
However, he has to abide by the decision of his superior, the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government of Sarawak, Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who is also the president of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), has a say on who sits on the chair of the local government body, which was previously known as Kuching Rural District Council.
The council was created at the end of 1956 under the Local Authority Ordinance 1948.
On August 1996, the council was upgraded to Padawan Municipal Council by the then chief minister, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
In a video shared on his Facebook account, Lo celebrated his birthday in a very honourable way.
Sitting down at his work desk, while announcing his last day as the chairman, he quickly got up, switched off the lights and walked towards his office door.
He then shook hands with the staff members who waited for him outside his office, from the senior officers to the lower rank staff.
Some of them took time to take selfies, while others shed some tears.
Lo was often remembered for his likeable personality. He is known to be humble and soft spoken. It’s rare to hear him raise his voice, let alone get angry.
Though always strict and serious when it comes to work, he always smiles.
For me, a man who has the background of an engineer is truly special. I have known him since before holding any position in SUPP.
He was introduced to me about 20 years ago by the former Deputy Minister of Works, Datuk Yong Khoon Seng.
The former Stampin MP became Lo’s mentor and idol and once told me that a young man would eventually take over Stampin.
It’s true, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has to fight for Stampin strongly after Khoon Seng era, but Lo who ended up becoming Batu Kitang assemblyman did not have any problem winning.
His reason: he is mature, calm and honest. He has never taken any advantage of his position, be it as assemblyman or chairman of MPP.
His house in Batu Kawah is very simple and does not mirror his status as an assemblyman — just like his mentor, Khoon Seng.
There is a little bit of soil erosion between a drain by the roadside and the gate of his house, indicating that he could have gotten the imperfection rectified if he had pulled rank on his subordinates, but he did not.
As a modest person, he is truly simple politically. He did not rush to get any position as he always prioritised his leader on any issue.
During the last general election, he did not agree with a writer when told that a survey and research found that he is the frontrunner to win Stampin.
“My friend, I do not want to comment on that part. I only follow an order from my leader, Dr Sim. If he says it is not me, then it is not me,” he said slowly.
He is someone who does not crave power, let alone perceive himself as someone powerful.
There was one time, a few years ago, when a writer sent a Whatsapp message to him, when one of his staff member uploaded a post on Facebook on the writer’s apology about misreporting in this newspaper (at that time, the writer was the Executive Editor).
He apologised to the writer and immediately ordered the post to be deleted.
As an assemblyman, Lo is very sensitive and polite, and always prioritises the people and can’t stand seeing people suffering.
If asked to help, he always come to assist and the most interesting thing is, he likes joining the breaking of the fast and suhoor with his constituents and his staff members at MPP.
He owns a few pairs of Malay outfits and robes, for him to attend religious events.
Has Lo Chiang ever entered a mosque? He has and does not feel awkward whenever he is invited to one.
Because of that, he is appreciated and remembered by the people. And because of that he always wins and often becomes the potential candidate to win Batu Kitang state constituency.
He might have lost the Stampin parliamentary seat, but that did not count as a measure of his character or abilities although the constituency is dominated by the Chinese.
Thanks to Lo for his excellent 12-year service at MPP. Now he can focus on his constituency.
Now is perhaps the time for Councillor Tan Kai to step up to the challenge. The former Youth chief of SUPP once contested in the Padungan state constituency.
He was also chosen by Dr Sim to contest in Stampin, but a final analysis by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and its chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, showed that Lo was even more suitable.
Putting Tan Kai in the MPP chair is the best way to prepare him for the Stampin seat. He needs to be smart and use the position to get close to the constituents.
He also needs to be smart in handling the more than 350,000 people in the area, which is culturally and religiously diverse.
It is not an easy task, but Tan Kai needs to buck up and be humble. He needs to change his style and demeanor, not like the current Tan Kai. He needs to learn from Lo how to show sincerity and asks Khoon Seng about getting close to the people.
It is not easy to replace Lo who is always willing and able face any type of problem. Tan Kai needs to do the same, or he will be irrelevant to the people.
Now is the perfect time for him to convince the people as all the seats under the Stampin parliamentary constituency are held by GPS, while Stampin MP Chong Cheing Jen should not be pessimistic because Cheing is among the leaders under the federal Unity Government.
