KUCHING: The late Datuk Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong has been described by Richard Song Swee Jin as ‘Godsent’ for his contributions to the community and for demonstrating a heart of a servanthood.
In an interview with New Sarawak Tribune on Thursday (Feb 15), Song shared that the late Sim had qualities of a ‘sainthood’, citing an example of Sim’s funeral held at St Joseph’s Cathedral where thousands from different races and religions flooded the cathedral to say their goodbyes.
“To me (Sim) is ‘Godsent’, a beacon, a moral compass, (and) to me there is no second Datuk Polycarp, no replacement, he is irreplaceable.
”Datuk Polycarp’s values will continue in this book,” he said of his teacher who taught him at St Joseph Schools.
Song shared that during his time with Sim, he had always wanted to learn from Sim who had a great influence on him.
When Song was younger, he had looked up to Sim who had always advised Song to seek knowledge, prioritising the importance of education.
“I wanted to learn, he was my mentor, he (had) humility, integrity, simplicity and above all generosity, he (Datuk Polycarp) gave 90 per cent of his salary to poor students,” he said.
He said that Sim would often take good care of the students, comforting them and ensuring that they take great heed in education.
“Study, study, read, read, exercise, fit mentally (and) physically, this is a unique person, the culture and value which the Ministry of Education adopted, so that we can develop character and good qualities,” said Song.
Song stressed reasons for the book’s publication, ‘The Life of Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong’, which is to inspire future generations.
“This is a good reference of how a person can serve society and humanity, his spirit, his influence has moved on the global scale.
“Because his students and children of the students, have worked professionally overseas, somehow have got these types of values from their parents,” he said.
The book has been printed in 3,000 copies and is priced at RM50.
For the record, according to Song, profits from the book sales would go to The Datuk Polycarp Sim Memorial Fund to provide bursaries for deserving students.
“I will donate this profit from the sales to the Datuk Polycarp Sim Memorial Fund to assist the St Joseph school students.
“Many students may need them, therefore hopefully through those funds it would lighten the students’ burdens.”
