KUCHING: Sarawak has lost a creative Dayak leader in the business world.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that the loss of the late Donald Lawan is felt not only within the Dayak community but also among other Bumiputera communities due to his success in the business arena.
“He was a successful businessman among the Dayak community. As far as I remember, he could take risks in any field he ventured into at a calculated level,” he said.
He made this statement when approached by reporters after paying his last respects to the former Bukit Begunan state assemblyman at the late Lawan’s family residence in Tabuan Jaya here today.
According to Abang Johari, he recently met with the late Lawan, who had been mulling renewable energy business ventures.
“I got to know him when I was the Minister of Industrial Development. He was very creative in the business field,” he added.
Earlier, the news of his passing was shared by his son, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, who is also the Balai Ringin assemblyman, through a post on Facebook.
The late Lawan was understood to have taken his last breath at around 6:38 pm yesterday due to heart problems at the age of 81,
Lawan won the Bukit Begunan state seat under the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) ticket in the 1987 state election.
He was renowned as a successful businessman and had also served as political secretary to the Chief Minister before becoming the Bukit Begunan assemblyman.
