PETALING JAYA: Former Bukit Begunan assemblyman Donald Lawan died in Kuching, Sarawak, today. He was 81.
His son, Snowdan Lawan, who is Sarawak’s deputy tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister, said Donald died at 6.38pm at the Borneo Medical Centre from heart failure.
“He (Donald) was a pillar of strength for me in politics, like the late James Masing.
“Now that he is gone, I feel a great loss,” Dayak Daily quoted Snowdan as saying.
Donald’s political career began in 1987 when he won the Bukit Begunan seat under the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) banner. He lost the seat in 1991.
Despite his electoral setback in 1991, Donald remained an important figure in politics and engaged in business ventures after that.
He also played a pivotal role in Snowdan’s victories in Balai Ringin in 2006 and 2011.