KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Chau Tet On (pic), who was widely known for his contributions towards Chinese education and culture, passed away on Tuesday due to complications of diabetes. He was 78.
Chau, the first Chinese leader to be made a deputy chief minister when the state government created three such posts to represent the major races in Sabah, will be buried on Saturday at the Anglican Cemetery in Jalan Tuaran.
His only daughter, Angie Chau, said it was the wish of her mother, Lee Lian Tsin, that the public not send wreaths and contributions be channelled to organisations helping the poor and needy.
"We believe our father would want such money used to help poor students pursue their education,’’ Angie said.
Streams of people have begun arriving at the Fook Lu Siew Funeral Parlour to pay their last respects to Chau.
Chau, a Kota Kinabalu native born in 1937, was among the early Chinese educationist who received a Bachelor's Degree in Science from Hong Kong in the early 1960s.
He started his career as a teacher serving in various districts from northern Kudat to eastern Tawau before becoming a supervisor for Chinese schools under the Education Department.
In early 1980s, he left to study law in the United Kingdom and later joined Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) led by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan that toppled the then Berjaya government in 1985.
Chau, who won the Api Api state seat, was made deputy chief minister representing the Chinese community the next year.
It was during this time that Chau pushed for annual assistance for Chinese schools and religious bodies from the state government. He also introduced the annual Dragon Boat Race which has become a tourism event for the state.
When the PBS government fell after the 1994 state elections, Chau joined MCA and became the state chairman between 1998 and 1999.
Chau lost the Api Api state seat after holding it for 14 years in the 1999 state elections. He remained Sabah MCA advisor.
Former Sabah MCA chairman Datuk Edward Khoo, who paid his last respects to the veteran leader, said Chau will always be remembered for his contributions towards the development Chinese culture and education in Sabah.
"He was an educationist who devoted his life not only in the political arena but also through associations,’’ Khoo said.
Chau has actively led the Sabah Chinese Cultural Association and was actively involved in boards of many Chinese schools particularly in Kota Kinabalu.
