SUPP mourns passing of party loyalist, ‘father of hawkers’ Song Swee Guan

The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) mourns the death of veteran member Datuk Song Swee Guan, Kuching South's founding mayor, aged 84.

Song, known as the 'father of hawkers', contributed significantly to Kuching's development through policies on education, urban poverty eradication, and infrastructure.

Serving in various roles, including Padungan assemblyman and Bandar Kuching MP, Song was a committed leader and pivotal to SUPP's history in Kuching.

MIRI, Oct 6 — The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has paid tribute to veteran member and former leader Datuk Song Swee Guan, who passed away Sunday at the age of 84.

SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting said the party was deeply saddened by the passing of Kuching South’s first mayor, and extended his condolences on behalf of the leadership and all members.

“Song devoted a significant part of his life to public service and to serving the people of Sarawak, in particular Kuching.

“Throughout his long career, he served in many important capacities, including as state assemblyman for Padungan, Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching, and Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly,” he said in a statement.

“He will always occupy a special place in the history of Kuching.”

Ting said as Kuching South’s founding mayor in August 1988, Song helped lay the foundations for the development and administration of Kuching South, serving until 1996.

“He was was known as the ‘father of hawkers’ during his time as mayor. He was also among the pioneers in greening the city, and his policies on education, urban poverty eradication, job creation, vocational training and infrastructure development have been described as the cornerstone of today’s Kuching South,” he added.

Song was Padungan assemblyman for four terms from 1983 to 2001, and Bandar Kuching MP from 1995 to 2003.

In November 1996, he was appointed State Legislative Assembly Speaker, a post he held until 2000.

Ting said that within SUPP, Song was a dedicated party member and leader who served the party and the people for many years.

“His association with the Padungan area, in particular, formed an important chapter in SUPP’s history of service in Kuching.

“While we mourn his passing, we also remember with gratitude his years of dedication, sacrifice and contribution to SUPP, to Kuching, and to Sarawak,” he said.

Ting last night accompanied SUPP president Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and other party leaders in paying their last respects to Song. — The Borneo Post

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砂拉越人民联合党（SUPP）对资深党员、古晋南区创始市长拿督宋瑞源逝世表示哀悼，他享年84岁。

宋先生被誉为“小贩之父”，他通过教育、消除城市贫困和基础设施建设等政策，为古晋的发展做出了重大贡献。

宋先生曾担任过巴都干州议员和古晋国会议员等多个职务，是一位尽职尽责的领导人，对砂拉越人民联合党在古晋的历史起到了关键作用。

美里，10月6日讯——砂拉越人民联合党（SUPP）悼念资深党员兼前党魁拿督宋瑞源，他于周日逝世，享年84岁。

砂拉越人民联合党秘书长拿督丁世强表示，该党对古晋南区首任市长的逝世深感悲痛，并代表党领导层和全体成员表示慰问。

“宋先生将他生命中的重要部分奉献给了公共服务，特别是为砂拉越人民，特别是古晋人民服务。

他在一份声明中说：“在他漫长的职业生涯中，他曾担任过许多重要职务，包括巴都干州议员、古晋国会议员和州立法议会议长。”

“他将在古晋的历史上永远占据一个特殊的位置。”

丁表示，宋先生于 1988 年 8 月担任古晋南区首任市长，为古晋南区的发展和管理奠定了基础，并一直任职到 1996 年。

“他担任市长期间被称为‘小贩之父’。他也是城市绿化的先驱之一，他在教育、消除城市贫困、创造就业、职业培训和基础设施发展方面的政策被认为是今天古晋南部的基石，”他补充道。

宋先生曾于 1983 年至 2001 年担任巴都干州议员四届，并于 1995 年至 2003 年担任古晋市国会议员。

1996 年 11 月，他被任命为州立法议会议长，并担任该职位至 2000 年。

丁表示，在砂拉越人民联合党内，宋是一位忠诚的党员和领导人，多年来为党和人民服务。

“他与巴东岸地区的联系，尤其构成了砂拉越人民联合党在古晋服务史上的重要篇章。

“在我们哀悼他逝世的同时，我们也满怀感激地缅怀他多年来对砂拉越人民联合党、古晋和砂拉越的奉献、牺牲和贡献，”他说。

昨晚，丁陪同砂拉越人民联合党主席、副首相拿督沈桂贤及其他党内领袖，向宋先生致以最后的敬意。——《婆罗洲邮报》

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