KUCHING: “Continue the struggle …,” said former Sarawak Education director Abang Mat Ali Abang Masagus in his short message to all educators in the state.
Abang Mat Ali who went on compulsory retirement at the age of 60 last Friday, will certainly be missed by staff of the the State Education Department (JPN).
He is known as a big-hearted person who has devoted his life to education in Sarawak.
Abang Mat has served for 36 years and six months in the education field starting in 1984 at SMK Datuk Patinggi Kedit Betong as a trained teacher before serving at SMK Meradong in 1988.
A year later, he received an offer to be a lecturer at Rajang teacher training institute (IPG) where he served for several years, followed by a stint at Batu Lintang IPG in 1990.
In 1993, he became principal at SMK Simunjan No.1 and in 1996 he moved to SMK Matang Hilir.
In 1998, Abang Mat continued his studies to obtain his Master of Science in Human Resource Development at Unimas.
After that in 2007, he was posted to the Information and Communication Technology Unit of JPN Sarawak as a senior assistant director and from there began his service at the State Education headquarters.
He became deputy director of Education Department Sarawak in 2015 and director in May last year.
JPN Sarawak deputy director Dr Abang Hut Abang Engkeh described Abang Mat as a good friend and companion in the field of education.
“He is stern, has a high commitment and has a caring attitude towards all educational staffs at various levels.
“I observed his actions throughout his tenure as a director. He used a lot of humanism in his approach … and was able to show maturity in communication, management, and as a leader.
“We can feel and see no disparity between him and the staff when seen together,” he said.
Thank you, Cikgu Abang Mat Ali and happy retirement.
