KUCHING: Amidst a somber mood, tinged with sadness and palpable emotions, members of the Kuching Toastmaster Club (KTMC) recently paid tribute to its late founding patron Datuk Dr Yusoff Hanifah.
In a eulogy delivered by charter member of the club Mike Lim, the endless support rendered by Yusoff, over 30 years was acknowledged with gratitude and appreciation. He pointed out that Yusoff, who was also the first mayor of Kuching North, had left an indelible mark on the club.
“Datuk’s (Yusoff) voice may no longer be heard in KTMC. However, the echoes of his voice will continue to reverberate in our corridors of learning and enlightenment,” he said at the commencement of KTMC 32nd installation dinner held recently.
Continuing the tribute, Lim expressed the club’s admiration for an underprivileged ‘kampung boy’ who overcame tragedies and hurdles to reach his pinnacles of success both in the public and private sectors.
The tribute ended on an uplifting note with Lim rallying the audience not to despair but ‘Rejoice’ (the theme of the Installation Dinner) in celebrating a life well-lived and treasuring the memories of a caring patron, honorary life member, mentor and above all, a friend.