KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee remembers the late Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah as a dedicated and outstanding public servant whose work left a lasting impression on the Sabah civil service.
Reflecting on his time as chief minister from 1996 to 1998, Yong recalled a remark he made when Ahmadshah was state deputy secretary.
"I once mentioned privately to then-state secretary Tan Sri Khalil Jamalul that; 'I wish I had more officers like Ahmadshah'," he said.
Yong said he found out years later that his words had been passed on to Ahmadshah, who revealed it during a courtesy call in 2005 by the Global Hakka delegation at the Istana.
"That simple statement meant something to him. He said he was motivated by my sincere words of encouragement," Yong said.
Yong said Ahmadshah's death was a great loss to the state, noting his commitment and excellence as a senior civil servant throughout the 1980s and 1990s, long before becoming Sabah governor.
"My heartfelt condolences to the family on the passing of Ahmadshah. Sabah has lost a dedicated servant and leader. May he rest in peace," he said.
