The world has lost its towering beacon of ethics and hope!
I was immensely sad to hear the inevitable confirmed . The demise of HM the Queen’. I am lost for words.
As the Queen just wrote from Windsor on May 11th and June 18th, I was, therefore, more than shocked to hear the news.
To the people in the world at large, they have lost a monumental model of proper conduct for a head of state in a turbulent and, sometimes, rather self centred world.
The late British monarch, Queen Elizabeth ll, was a towering statesman with few equals. She understood the democratic doctrine of the separation of powers. She gained huge respect by never ever interfering in politics. She was a model constitutional monarch in the true sense of the word.
The late Queen was an unwavering pillar and supporter of charity and voluntary work, taking an enormous interest in their activities.
More in privileged positions globally, should emulate her in serving the less privileged, the sick, the disabled, ostracised and needy people.
St. John Ambulance Sarawak joins people throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in mourning the demise of Queen Elizabeth ll, Sovereign Head of the Order of St. John, after a long and glorious reign of seven decades.
A monarch of impeccable character and integrity. It was a signal honour and privilege of knowing the gracious Queen and her Prince Consort, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and meeting the royal couple quite a few times.
Queen Elizabeth II led the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and, in a way, much of the world besides by dint of her own exemplary leadership as doyen of the world and wisdom.
In the seventy years on the throne, she had presided over an era of unimaginable changes, both physical and in countless other ways – from black-and-white TV to the smallest of smartphone screens so ubiquitous on almost every human palm today.
What inspires me, as a non-politician ordinary human being ,whose only business is charity and voluntary work, the most about the late Queen is the impeccable integrity and the unique way she performed her role as a constitutional monarch, in a most responsible manner, providing invaluable wisdom, guidance and advice but not interfering in the day-to-day business of government.
The British Queen, the longest reigning monarch on earth, had few equals in all aspects. I had the great privilege of being in the presence of the late Queen on a number of occasions over the years since 1972 when being entertained by the Queen and the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal Princess Anne on board the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Most impressed by the Queen graciously talking to me a young man, fresh from college, but always admiring her great interest in voluntary and charity work. Charity work was not in vogue until quite recently.
The Queen had incredible memory and a remarkable English sense of humour.
I always enjoyed the conversations. The Queen would talk to you in her soft gentle voice, listened quietly, and made sensible and useful comments. Always smiling and she had a tremendous sense of humour.
In 1998 when I was presented to her, she smiled and told the late Malaysian King that she knew me,”said Ang who founded St John Ambulance Sarawak in 1971”.
The late Queen certainly inspired me and she had touched the lives of millions too.
From even school days, I have always been drawn towards charity endeavours on behalf of the less fortunate, disabled, underprivileged, the ostracised and the sick.
I was much taken in by the seriousness many British take to such endeavours when I later was in the country for further studies. And nobody, I dare say, took them with greater seriousness than the British royal family.
The British Queen had this skill and ability for making the monarchy almost uniquely relevant in a modern and challenging world that has vastly changed from the time she first ascended the throne. In her reign, the Queen had particularly acknowledged the work and efforts of voluntary and charity workers.
I offer my deepest sympathy and profound condolences to HM King Charles lll, HM Queen Consort Camilla, the new Prince and Princess of Wales , Princess Anne , Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family at this difficult time .
I am most confident that King Charles III will not only carry on the late Monarch’s great legacy but take the United Kingdom and its nations and the Commonwealth to greater heights, and lead the world in the global war against Climate Change. The King has for decades been the most eminent environmentalist in UK and in the Commonwealth, together with the global pioneer of conservation and preservation, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, father of the King.
The new monarch has a newly sworn in Prime Minister Elizabeth Truss, to help lead the nation to progress and prosperity.
May the new monarch enjoy long and fruitful years in the service of United Kingdom and, indeed, the Commonwealth of nations.
(Ang Lai Soon)
Founder, Founding District Commissioner/ Commander
St. John Ambulance Sarawak,
President
Sarawak Cheshire Home,
Founding Chairman of Malaysian Leprosy Relief Association( SB),
Founding Chairman of Malaysian Diabetes Association ( SB)
