Book on ACP Dato Lawrence Lim launched
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday launched ‘Api – The Tiger of Kanowit’, a book that chronicles the life and peacekeeping efforts of a former state Special Branch chief, the late ACP Dato Lawrence Lim Eng Liong.
The book was published by his good friend Richard Song Swee Jin, who is managing director of Trac-Wheels ( M) Sdn Bhd.
“It chronicles his roles in the tough up-keeping of peace, ending the activities of the clandestine communist organisation in Sarawak within the span of three decades in the 60s, 70s and 80s, culminating with the signing of a peace agreement with the final batch of 52 communist terrorists on Oct 17, 1990,” said Song in his welcoming speech.
Lim started his career as a constable before moving up through the rank and file, he added.
The book is Trac Wheel’s second publication after the first one entitled ‘ The Legacy of Song Kheng Hai’.
“Apart from his detailed presentation of what happened
It chronicles his roles in the tough up-keeping of peace, ending the activities of the clandestine communist organisation in Sarawak within the span of three decades in the 60s, 70s and 80s, culminating with the signing of a peace agreement with the final batch of 52 communist terrorists on Oct 17, 1990.
during the communist era, and how it was successfully ended, Lim had also penned down fragments of the landscape of Sarawak’s heterogeneous society. His own life was a real picture of the spirit of harmonious tolerance embedded in our culture till today,” he added.
‘Api’ is a nickname given to Lim by one of the Iban attendants, Aya Lunang, who adopted him.
Through his mingling with the Iban community in Rantau Dilang, Lim became proficient in the Iban language while acquiring proficient Malay through his stepfather Aba Mowe, who was a Malay from Kuching but stayed in Rantau Dilang upon his retirement.
Also present at the book launch were several members of Lim’s family, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Deputy State Secretary Ismawi Ismuni, author James Ritchie and former Simanggang assemblyman and ex-Temenggong Michael Pilo.
Michael’s involvement in the struggle against communist insurgents was also mentioned in the book.
Proceeds of the book would go to the associations for former army and police personnel.
Abang Johari also said that the state would purchase some of the books for the libraries in Sarawak.
He urged the current generation to thank, salute and appreciate former security personnel for their sacrifices, without which the nation would not be able to enjoy peace and stability like now.
Richard Song Swee Jin, managing director of Trac-Wheels (M) Sdn Bhd