{{Short description|Malaysian politician (1949–2021)}} {{Use British English|date=October 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = James Jemut Masing | image = | honorific_prefix = Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|size=100|country=MYS|PSM|DA|PNBS}} | office = Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak | preceded = George Chan Hong Nam | term_start = 13 May 2016 | term_end = 31 October 2021 | 1blankname = Chief Minister | 1namedata = Adenan Satem <br /> Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari | alongside = Douglas Uggah Embas <br /> Awang Tengah Ali Hasan | governor = Abdul Taib Mahmud | constituency = Baleh | office2 = Ministerial roles (Sarawak) | subterm2 = 2011–2016 | suboffice2 = Minister for Land Development | subterm3 = 2016–2021 | suboffice3 = Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation | subterm4 = 2017–2021 | suboffice4 = Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development | subterm5 = | suboffice5 = | term_start1 = 21 March 2004 | term_end1 = 31 October 2021 | office1 = 1st President of the Parti Rakyat Sarawak | 1blankname1 = Secretary-General | 1namedata1 = Joseph Salang Gandum <br /> Janang Bungsu | predecessor1 = ''Position established'' | successor1 = Joseph Salang Gandum (acting) | office6 = Faction represented in Sarawak State Legislative Assembly | subterm6 = 1983–2018 | suboffice6 = Barisan Nasional | subterm7 = 1983–2004 | suboffice7 = Sarawak Native People's Party | subterm8 = 2004–2021 | suboffice8 = Sarawak Peoples' Party | subterm9 = 2018–2021 | suboffice9 = Sarawak Parties Alliance | birth_date = {{birth date|1949|3|5|df=yes}} | birth_place = Baleh, Kapit, Crown Colony of Sarawak (now Sarawak, Malaysia) | death_date = {{death date and age|2021|10|31|1949|3|5|df=yes}} | death_place = Normah Sarawak Medical Centre, Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia | resting_place = Nirvana Memorial Park, Siniawan, Kuching | spouse = {{marriage|Fiona Frances Henderson|1977|1989|end=divorce}} <br />{{marriage |Corrine Connie Bua Nyipa|1992}} | children = 5 (2 daughters - Fiona and 1 son 2 daughters - Corrine) | party = Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) (1983–2004)<br />Sarawak Peoples' Party (PRS) (2004–2021) | other_party = Barisan Nasional (BN) (2004–2018)<br />Sarawak Parties Alliance (GPS) (2018–2021) | alma_mater = Victoria University of Wellington <br /> Australian National University | website = | footnotes = | succeeded = Sim Kui Hian }}
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. '''James Jemut Masing''' (5 March 1949 – 31 October 2021) was a Malaysian politician who served as the Deputy Chief Minister, State Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development of Sarawak under Chief Ministers Adenan Satem and Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg as well as Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Baleh from May 2016, January 2017 and December 1983 to his death in October 2021 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cm.sarawak.gov.my/page-0-62-44-Minister.html|title=Official Website Office of the Chief Minister of Sarawak|website=www.cm.sarawak.gov.my|language=en|access-date=21 July 2018}}</ref>
He was a member of the Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) and later Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), a component party of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition. He also served as President of PRS from its founding in March 2004 to his death in October 2021.
== Background == Masing born on 5 March 1949 at Baleh, Kapit, Sarawak, was an ethnic Iban and a Christian.<ref name=bg>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/amazing-sarawak-part-4 |title=Amazing Sarawak (Part 4) : First Iban Ph.D.|author=James Alexander Ritchie|date=23 April 2017|publisher=New Sarawak Tribune|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> Masing had studied and graduated with B.A. in Education in 1975 from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand under the Colombo Plan Scholarship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2015/04/12/connecting-with-the-world-through-education/|title=Connecting with the world through education|author=Lian Cheng|date=12 April 2015|publisher=The Borneo Post|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> He also received both his M.A. in 1978 and Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1981 from Australian National University, the first Iban to achieve that.<ref name=bg/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Masing|first=James|url=https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/11194/1/Masing_J.J._1981.pdf|title=The Coming of the Gods: A Study of an lnvocatory Chant (Timang Gawai Amat) of the lban of the Baleh River Region of Sarawak|publisher=Australia National University|year=1981|location=Canberra}}</ref>
== Political career == Masing started his political career when he joined and climbed to be the Vice-President of the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) before becoming the co-founding and 1st President of the Sarawak Peoples' Party or ''Parti Rakyat Sarawak'' (PRS) since 2004 until 2021. Even though he never became a federal Member of Parliament (MP), Masing had served for eight consecutive terms as MLA for Baleh under the two parties from 1983 to 2021. He also rose to be the Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak from 2016 to his death in 2021.<ref name=personal>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2018693|title=Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister James Masing dies|date=31 October 2021|website=Bernama|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> He could have contested and perhaps have defended the Baleh seat for the ninth consecutive time if not because of the deferment of a supposedly earlier 2021 Sarawak state election due to 2021 state of emergencies, arising from the 2020–21 political crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his untimely death.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dayakdaily.com/joseph-salang-taking-over-prs-top-leadership-baleh-candidacy-to-be-decided-at-meeting |title=Joseph Salang taking over PRS' top leadership, Baleh candidacy to be decided at meeting|date=31 October 2021|publisher=Dayak Daily|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/12/03/sarawak-polls-late-masings-nephew-to-contest-in-baleh|title=Sarawak polls: Late Masing's nephew to contest in Baleh|date=3 December 2021|website=Borneo Post|access-date=12 December 2021}}</ref>
== Controversies == Masing's reported political persecution of disabled Dayaks and his admission that he and his deputy sought inducements for Native Customary Lands (NCR) exploitation for plantations in 2012.<ref name=ncr>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/07/14/ruling-on-sale-of-ncr-land-among-dayaks-in-need-of-review-says-masing|title=Ruling on sale of NCR land among Dayaks in need of review, says Masing|website=The Star|author=Nigel Edgar|date=14 July 2013|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> He had also benefited from lucrative Belian timber concessions, huge state contracts, plantation licences on NCR, a partnership with an international oil company and a prized car dealership licence. The Forest Department's information reveals the timber concessions in the Baram were handed out to key political associates of state Barisan Nasional (BN) including Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, local Baram MP, Jacob Dungau Sagan and even his wife Corinne Masing was one of the beneficiaries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/03/spotlight-on-masing-corruption-exclusive|title=Spotlight On Masing - Corruption Exclusive!|website=Sarawak Report|date=12 March 2012|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> His extravangant wealth and luxury mansion had also led to the corruption suspicions as well as allegations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/07/mystery-of-masings-million-ringgit-mansion |title=Mystery of Masing's Million Ringgit Mansion|website=Sarawak Report|date=12 July 2012|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref>
Masing who was Sarawak's Land Development Minister then, had been blamed for not protecting the NCR lands where Dayak natives who have been residing, carrying out agriculture and traditional living activities in a particular NCR region for generations, which they are granted such NCR lands ownership, albeit the land legally belongs to the state and without a physical individual title.<ref name=ncr/> In 2013, Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) reproached, had urged all Dayaks to accept an announcement of a RM30 million fund by the Prime Minister for NCR land perimeter survey under Section 6 of the State Land Code exercise which would keep the NCR as communal reserves land.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/swp-wants-masing-explain-benefits-ncr-land-survey-0 |title=SWP wants Masing to explain benefits of NCR land survey|website=The Edge Markets|date=13 June 2013|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> In 2020 again, Gabungan Anak Sarawak (GASAK) rebuked Masing over the sale of NCR land in Sarawak and comments the natives would become landless if their NCR lands are being surveyed under Section 18 of the State Land Code which instead will allow individual Dayaks owners to have individual titles, rights and authority over that NCR land. Masing was told not to treat the Dayaks as second class Bumiputera and stop making them only ordinary farmers, when he should have been leading the community towards prosperity rather than taking care of the interests of the cronies and the state government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/27/gasak-rebukes-masing-over-comments-on-sale-of-ncr-lands-in-sarawak/1916831 |title= Gasak rebukes Masing over comments on sale of NCR lands in Sarawak|website=Malay Mail|date=27 October 2020|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref>
== Personal life == He was first married to Fiona Frances Masing née Henderson in 1977, but they had divorced in 1989. Together the couple have two daughters, Dr Anna Sulan Masing born in 1981 and Rachel Lian Masing in 1983.<ref name=personal/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sklingtan.com/post/distribution-of-matrimonial-assets-and-maintenance-among-non-muslims-in-malaysia-upon-divorce|title=Distribution Of Matrimonial Assets And Maintenance Among Non-Muslims In Malaysia Upon Divorce|quote=Division of Matrimonial Assets (James Jemut Masing v Fiona Frances Masing Nee Henderson [1994] 2 CLJ 39)|date=16 January 2021|website=S. K. Ling & Tan Advocates|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> He married again for the second time in 1992 to Corrine Masing née Bua Nyipa, also known as Connie with whom he had three more children; Karen Julan Masing, Ashley Layo Masing and Emma Maria Masing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2014/10/09/hard-at-work/|title=Hard at work|date=9 October 2014|publisher=The Borneo Post|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref name=funeral>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/11/03/video-james-masing-laid-to-rest-at-nirvana-memorial-park|title=James Masing laid to rest at Nirvana Memorial Park|date=3 November 2021|work=The Borneo Post|accessdate=3 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lam|first=Tania|date=3 November 2021|title=A doting father dearly missed|language=en-US|publisher=New Sarawak Tribune|url=https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/a-doting-father-dearly-missed|access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref>
== Death == On 28 September 2021, fully vaccinated Masing tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).<ref>{{cite news|url= https://dayakdaily.com/dcm-masing-hospitalised-for-covid-19|title=DCM Masing hospitalised after testing positive for Covid-19|date=28 September 2021|publisher=Dayak Daily|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> He was later transferred to Normah Sarawak Medical Centre (NSMC) in Petra Jaya after his condition deteriorated from Stage 3 to Stage 5,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/693555/stages-4-and-5-covid-19-patients-now-15-cent-total-case-tally|title=Stages 4 and 5 Covid-19 patients now 15 per cent of total case tally|author=Veena Babulal|date=27 May 2021|publisher=New Straits Times|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> where he succumbed to various complications at 7.05 a.m., on 31 October at the age of 72.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/10/31/dcm-masing-passes-away|title=DCM Masing passes away|publisher=Borneo Post|date=31 October 2021|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/james-jemut-masing-meninggal-dunia-328306|title=James Jemut Masing meninggal dunia|trans-title=James Jemut Masing passed away|language=ms|publisher=Astro Awani|date=31 October 2021|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> Further COVID-19 screening test result conducted on his body reported that he died of post-COVID heart conditions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/10/31/report-masing-died-of-heart-complications-latest-test-negative-for-covid-19/|title=Report: Masing died of heart complications, latest test negative for Covid-19|author=Churchill Edward|publisher=The Borneo Post|date=31 October 2021|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2021/10/31/deputy-cm-died-of-heart-complications-says-sarawak-govt|title=Deputy CM died of heart complications, says Sarawak govt|date=31 October 2021|publisher=Malaysia Now|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thesundaily.my/home/passing-of-deputy-chief-minister-masing-a-big-loss-to-sarawak-abang-jo-LF8513508|title=Passing of Deputy Chief Minister Masing a big loss to Sarawak: Abang Jo|publisher=The Sun Daily|date=31 October 2021|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> His remains were brought to his residence at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee for state funeral, service and wake arrangement according to the COVID-19 pandemic standard operating procedure (SOP).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/597417|title=James Masing dies after battle with Covid-19|date=31 October 2021|publisher=Malaysiakini|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uFXF6WEHrw |title=Penghormatan terakhir buat mendiang Tan Sri James Jemut Masing|trans-title=Final respect for late Tan Sri James Jemut Masing|language=ms|date=31 October 2021|work=Astro Awani|via=YouTube|accessdate=31 October 2021}}</ref> On 3 November, the remains were transferred to the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS), Jalan Stampin as a ceremony held at Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre for the public to pay their last respects to the late politician.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/741515/public-can-pay-last-respects-masing-wednesday|title=Public can pay last respects to Masing on Wednesday|work=Bernama|publisher=New Straits Times|date=31 October 2021|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://dayakdaily.com/funeral-wake-for-masing-to-be-held-on-nov-3|title=Funeral wake for Masing to be held on Nov 3 |date=31 October 2021|publisher=Dayak Daily|access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=378842110547158&id=100052641171155|title=Aturcara Upacara Penghormatan Terakhir|date=2 November 2021|publisher=FB Dr. James Jemut Masing|access-date=3 November 2021|via=Facebook}}</ref> Among the dignitaries present were Chief Minister Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg and his deputy Douglas Uggah Embas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/11/03/masing-on-journey-to-final-resting-place|title=Masing arrives at final resting place|publisher=The Borneo Post|date=3 November 2021|access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref> Masing's remains and coffin was later taken to the Nirvana Memorial Park in Siniawan, Kuching-Bau Road for the last rites whereas a short Christian funeral service in Iban was held before burial and being laid to rest.<ref name=funeral/><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vebkoScPWY|title=James Masing laid to rest after state funeral|date=3 November 2021|work=The Star|via=YouTube|accessdate=3 November 2021}}</ref>
== Election results == {| class="wikitable" |+Sarawak State Legislative Assembly<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://resultpru11sarawak.spr.gov.my/module/penamaan/laporan/laporan_6/laporan_6.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425113838/http://resultpru11sarawak.spr.gov.my/module/penamaan/laporan/laporan_6/laporan_6.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 April 2016|title=SISTEM PENGURUSAN MAKLUMAT PILIHAN RAYA UMUM|date=25 April 2016|access-date=21 July 2018}}</ref> !Year !Constituency ! colspan="2" |Candidate !Votes !Pct ! colspan="2" |Opponent(s) !Votes !Pct !Ballots cast !Majority !Turnout |- | rowspan="2" |1983 | rowspan="10" |'''Baleh, Sarawak''' | rowspan="2" {{Party shading/red}} | | rowspan="2" |'''James Jemut Masing (PBDS)''' | rowspan="2" |'''2,717''' | rowspan="2" |'''47.98%''' |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |Peter Gani Kiai (BN) |1,646 |29.07% | rowspan="2" |5,787 | rowspan="2" |1,071 | rowspan="2" |71.86% |- |{{Party shading/Independent}} | |Joseph Jinggut (IND) |1,300 |22.95% |- |1987 |{{Party shading/red}} | |'''James Jemut Masing (PBDS)''' |'''3,516''' |'''59.18%''' |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |Joseph Jinggut (BN) |2,425 |40.82% |6,039 |1,091 |70.79% |- | rowspan="2" |1991 | rowspan="2" {{Party shading/red}} | | rowspan="2" |'''James Jemut Masing (PBDS)''' | rowspan="2" |'''4,183''' | rowspan="2" |'''67.15%''' |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |Simon Temenggong Sibat (BN) |1,858 |29.83% | rowspan="2" |6,306 | rowspan="2" |2,325 | rowspan="2" |71.91% |- |{{Party shading/Independent}} | |Ngalambong Limbing (IND) |188 |3.02% |- |1996 |{{Party shading/red}} | |'''James Jemut Masing (PBDS)''' |'''5,411''' |'''87.66%''' |{{Party shading/Independent}} | |John Pungga (IND) |762 |12.34% |6,334 |4,649 |65.77% |- |2001 |{{Party shading/red}} | |'''James Jemut Masing (PBDS)''' |'''6,378''' |'''94.29%''' |{{Party shading/Independent}} | |Stephen Nyamok Medan (IND) |386 |5.71% |6,861 |5,992 |70.02% |- |2006 |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |'''James Jemut Masing (PRS)''' |'''5,330''' |'''90.99%''' |bgcolor="#717190" | |Lucius Jimbon (SNAP) |528 |9.01% |5,956 |4,802 |61.20% |- |2011 |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |'''James Jemut Masing (PRS)''' | align=right|'''5,242''' |'''79.59%''' |{{Party shading/Keadilan}} | |Bendindang Manjah (PKR) | align=right|1,344 |20.41% |6,684 |3,898 |59.22% |- |2016 |{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} | |'''James Jemut Masing (PRS)''' | align=right|'''5,272''' |'''91.67%''' |{{Party shading/DAP}} | |Agop Linsong (DAP) | align=right|479 | align=right|8.33% |5,820 |4,793 |60.47% |}
== Honours == === Awards and recognitions === * Guinness Stout Effort Award, 1982.<ref name=bg/> * Jaycees Malaysia Award, 1986.<ref name=bg/>
=== Honours of Malaysia === * {{Flag|Malaysia}} ** 50px Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – '''Tan Sri''' (2011)<ref name=Semakan>{{cite web |url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/semakan-penerima-darjah-kebesaran-bintang-dan-pingat/|work=Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa|title=Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat|access-date=25 October 2018|publisher=Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2011/06/05/masing-mawan-awarded-tan-sri-on-kings-birthday/|title=Masing, Mawan awarded 'Tan Sri' on King's birthday|date=5 June 2011|accessdate=23 September 2018|publisher=The Star|work=Sharon Ling}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Sarawak}} ** 50px Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DA) – '''Datuk Amar''' (2013)<ref name=Semakan/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/09/15/masing-and-uggah-now-datuk-amar-ministers-among-39-honoured-at-investiture-event-held-in-conjunction/|title=Masing and Uggah now Datuk Amar|date=15 September 2013|accessdate=6 September 2018|work=The Star}}</ref> ** 50px Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – '''Dato Sri''' (1998)<ref name=Semakan/>
==See also== * List of deaths due to COVID-19 - notable individual deaths
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{Facebook|Dr-James-Jemut-Masing-206422392729909}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Masing, James Jemut}} Category:1949 births Category:2021 deaths Category:Malaysian people of Iban descent Category:Malaysian Christians Category:Malaysian political party founders Category:Leaders of political parties in Malaysia Category:Parti Rakyat Sarawak politicians Category:Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak politicians Category:Deputy chief ministers of Sarawak Category:Members of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni Category:Australian National University alumni Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak Category:Knights Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak Category:Commanders of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Category:21st-century Malaysian politicians