KUCHING: Former Sarawak deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Daniel Tajem died at his home in Jalan Urat Mata, Tabuan Jaya here today.
He was 82.
According to his widow, Datin Seri Ivy Tajem, the former deputy chief minister died about 7 am after complaining of breathing difficulties.
“We are very shocked over my husband’s sudden death because he never had heart-related problems. He was a diabetic but it was under control,” she told Bernama.
Tajem, a former high commissioner to New Zealand is also survived by three children and seven grandchildren.
He was the deputy chief minister from March 23, 1981 until 1987.
Tajem was the first Iban to become a lawyer after he completed his LLB degree at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.
He embarked on a career in politics in 1973 when he joined the Sarawak National Party (SNAP).
Tajem and Tan Sri Leo Moggie formed Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) in 1983 after they left SNAP following an internal crisis. - Bernama