Sarawak’s only Mayor-MP-Speaker: Leaders remember Datuk Song Swee Guan’s legacy

(From right) Abang Johari, Uggah and Dr Sim pay final respects to the late Datuk Song Swee Guan in the presence of family members at Chan Funeral Parlor on Oct 6, 2026.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Oct 6: Sarawak has lost a loyal son with the passing of Datuk Song Swee Guan, the only individual in the State’s history to have served as a mayor, Member of Parliament and Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, leaders said while paying their final respects at the Chan Funeral Services Parlour today.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg described Song as a humble and dedicated leader who devoted much of his life to serving the people and helping shape Kuching South during its formative years.

“The late Datuk Song Swee Guan was a person who was very humble and dedicated to serve people. He was the first mayor of Kuching City South who laid the foundation of Kuching City South and served the people very well,” he told reporters after visiting the funeral parlour.

Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian as well as Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang were also present.

Abang Johari (right) extending condolences to the family members of the late Datuk Song Swee Guan when paying his final respect at Chan Funeral Parlor on Oct 6, 2026.

Abang Johari said Song was a highly respected and popular figure in Kuching, noting that the late former chief minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had personally recommended him as a candidate for Padungan and later Bandar Kuching.

“He won the election in both constituencies. That shows how strong his grassroots support was,” he said.

The Premier also highlighted Song’s tenure as Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, describing him as dedicated and committed to safeguarding the interests of the people.

“He performed very well and what is important here is he gave priority to the interests of the people in the constituencies, particularly Bandar Kuching,” he said.

Recalling their early political days, Abang Johari said he and Song had worked closely despite being from different component parties within the State coalition.

“During that time, we were together where he was in Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth and we were in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth. We managed to carry on as a team.

“I think we lost a loyal son of Sarawak,” he said.

Abang Johari also conveyed the Sarawak government’s condolences to Song’s family and wished them strength and patience during the mourning period.

Asfia (second right), Lo (right) and others paying their final respect to Datuk Song Swee Guan at Chan Funeral Parlor on Oct 6, 2026.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar described Song as one of the State’s most accomplished political figures, noting that he remains the only person to have held the positions of mayor, Member of Parliament and Speaker.

“That was how strong and popular he was. Three in one,” Asfia said.

Asfia, who served as deputy speaker under Song, said the late leader enjoyed widespread support and achieved significant electoral victories, including defeating Democratic Action Party (DAP) pioneer Sim Kwang Yang in Bandar Kuching.

He also recalled a landmark legal case associated with Song’s political career, which clarified the eligibility of a serving mayor to contest an election.

“The question revolved around the remuneration of the mayor, whether it’s an allowance or salary. If it is salary, he would be disqualified. If it’s allowance, he was qualified.

“So, he set the landmark case that the mayor can stand in an election. That was his case,” Asfia said.

Song died peacefully at 3.30pm yesterday (Oct 4) at Sarawak General Hospital. He was 84.

He was appointed a councillor of the Kuching Municipal Council in 1981 before becoming its chairman in 1982. He led the council until 1988, when Kuching attained city status and was divided into Kuching North and Kuching South.

Following the restructuring, Song became the founding mayor of Kuching South in August 1988 and served in the position for eight years until 1996. He later served as a state assemblyman and Member of Parliament before being appointed Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly in November 1996.

His funeral rites are being held at the Chan Funeral Services Parlour at 5th Mile, Jalan Penrissen.

The funeral cortege will leave the funeral home at 11am on Oct 7 for the Jhapeti Crematorium at the Kuching Buddhist Village in Batu Kitang, where his remains will be cremated. — DayakDaily