Song Swee Guan figure three in one - Asfia

KUCHING, 6 Oct: Mendiang Datuk Song Swee Guan is described as an influential figure with strong root support, thus succeeding in holding three important positions in Sarawak history.

The Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, said mendiang had served as Mayor, Member of Parliament and Speaker of DUN Sarawak.

He said that Mandiang also made history by defeating DAP candidate Sim Kwang Yang in Kuching Town area.

"He was very popular and had strong support. At that point, he managed to defeat Sim Kwang Yang.

"He is the only person who has ever been Mayor, Member of Parliament and Speaker. It shows how powerful and popular he was at the time", she said when meeting reporters here today.

According to Asfia, Mendiang was also involved in an important case when holding the post of Mayor which became a legal reference regarding the mayor's eligibility to contest elections.

He said the main question in this case was whether the salary received by the mayor is categorized as allowance or salary.

"If the fee is considered a salary, he is not eligible to compete, while if it is categorized as a bonus, he is eligible to compete.

"The case ended up being the legal first that a mayor could run in an election", he added.