MIRI – The late Tan Sri James Jemut Masing had passed away due to heart complications that he suffered after he was infected by Covid-19, as was reported earlier.
In its latest update, the Sarawak Public Communications Unit revealed that the state deputy chief minister died in Normah Sarawak Medical Centre due to heart problems, not directly due to Covid-19.
“It was due to heart complications that he suffered. He was infected by Covid-19, but later discharged from the SGH (Sarawak General Hospital) intensive care unit (ICU),” it said.
Masing’s body was taken home today, and there were queries out of fear that he had passed on as a Covid-19 patient.
It explained that Masing was no longer Covid-19-infectious at the time of his death at 7am today, even though he was a confirmed coronavirus patient.
The 72-year-old veteran politician had earlier been brought to the ICU of Sarawak General Hospital after he tested positive for Covid-19 on September 28.
His death was confirmed by Datuk Abdullah Saidol, assistant minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, reported The Star.
Masing was the Parti Rakyat Sarawak president and Baleh assemblyman.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian expressed his condolences to Masing’s family.
“The state lost an ‘anak Sarawak’ who dedicated his whole life to serve and fight for Sarawak,” the State Disaster Management Committee adviser said in a Facebook post.
“I am privileged to have been his colleague and friend, and to have benefited from his wisdom, humour, and camaraderie over the years.” – The Vibes, October 31, 2021
