KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has described the late Tan Sri Simon Sipaun as a courageous man whose steadfast commitment to democracy and Sabah rights left an enduring legacy.
Hajiji said Sipaun’s fearless voice on issues of governance, civil liberties and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) earned him respect across the country.
"He was never afraid to speak up for what he believed was right.
"His courage in defending Sabah’s rights and his dedication to good governance made him a towering figure in our state’s history," Hajiji said in a condolence message on Monday (Feb 9).
Sipaun, 88, passed away on Sunday (Feb 8) from pneumonia at a private hospital here.
He suffered a stroke in August last year and had since been in poor health.
Sipuan was state secretary from 1988 till his retirement in 1993.
He was later appointed vice chairman of Suhakam in 2003, a position he held till 2010.
ALSO READ: Veteran Sabah civil servant Simon Sipaun passes away at 88
Born into a poor subsistence farming family in Penampang in then-colonial North Borneo, Sipaun was among the earliest Sabahans to receive a Colombo Plan scholarship, graduating in political science from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.
A career civil servant, Sipaun also pursued a short course in finance with Oxford University and was known for his strong principles and integrity.
Hajiji noted that Sipaun’s legacy extended beyond his official roles, as he remained a strong advocate for democracy and civil freedoms even after retirement.
"His contributions to Sabah and Malaysia will be remembered for generations. We have lost a courageous son of Sabah, but his voice and principles will continue to inspire us," Hajiji said in extending condolences to Sipaun's family.
State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal are among senior leaders who also extended their condolences to the family.
The outspoken Sipaun remained apolitical, speaking up on issues of democracy, governance and civil liberties, while also advocating for state rights through talks at events held by political parties and non-governmental organisations.
A funeral Mass for Sipaun will be held at the Church of Mary Immaculate in Bukit Padang here at 10am on Tuesday (Feb 10).
