Premier credits former Geography teacher Polycarp Sim for hydrogen literacy

Abang Johari (second right) showing the audience ‘The Life of Datuk Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong’ book following the launch held at a hotel in Kuching on Dec 20, 2023.

By Ashley Sim

KUCHING, Dec 20: The late Datuk Seri Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong is the reason why Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg can discuss hydrogen on international platforms today despite having no scientific background.

Abang Johari said Sim, as his former Geography teacher, had motivated him to constantly learn new things by reading, and that was how he learned about hydrogen technologies.

Paying tribute to Sim who passed away in 1993, Abang Johari said Sim was a great source of inspiration and a role model for him when he was a student at St Joseph’s School in the 1960s.

“He really motivates me to read to gain more knowledge. That’s why, I think because of that I can speak about hydrogen today, despite not having a science background.

“So the reading actually comes from the great Datuk Seri Polycarp Sim. He said never stop reading. So that is the great man in Datuk Seri Polycarp Sim. He is very humble and very simple.

“All these personalities of Datuk Seri Polycarp Sim become a model to us. I try my very best to be a good Premier and be humble like him,” he said when officiating at ‘The Life of Datuk Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong’ book launch held at a local hotel here today.

The Premier further noted that Sim was very close to his father, the late Tun Datuk Abang Openg Abang Sapiee.

“My father had asked him to look after me. So Datuk Seri Polycarp Sim gave me tuition on Geography at a shop in Carpenter Street,” he added.

Abang Johari also said he is honoured to launch a book about a man, a legend, who was not only an educator but also a mentor.

Amongst those present were Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Transport Sarawak (MOTS) Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; MTCP Sarawak deputy minister Datuk Sebastian Ting; and author to ‘The Life of Datuk Polycarp Sim Cheng Mong’, Richard Song Swee Jin. — DayakDaily