Jepak incumbent hailed by cousin as ‘key inspiration’
BINTULU: Datuk Talib Zulpilip was among a few Sarawakians who were given the opportunity to pursue higher studies in New Zealand, said his cousin Ibrahim Mohamad.
As such, he regarded Talib as ‘an inspiration’ to other junior students during his days in Tanjong Lobang College in Miri.
“We all strove to attain scholarships and to study abroad, just like him. We called him ‘Abang’ (Big Brother) Talib.
“We’re the family closest to him in Miri and almost every weekend, Abang Talib would come to our house, where he would spend his time teaching us how to read and speak in English. This inspired me to be just like him,” said Ibrahim, 61, who is the secretary of the Sarawak branch of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) when met recently.
Adding on, Ibrahim said he was thankful that he got selected to study at Tanjong Lobang College as one of its Form 4 pioneer batch. Later on, he got his opportunity to further his studies in the UK.
Back on Talib, Ibrahim said upon his return to Sarawak, Talib served in Kuching.
Ibrahim said he used to stay at his cousin’s house in the late 1970s.
“At the time, I noticed that there would always be guests from Bintulu coming to see him, bringing with them lots of proposals. I did join two of their discussions and in looking back, I realised that Talib had never ignored the needs of the Bintulu folk, despite him being in Kuching for his official duties.
“We remained close upon my return to Sarawak after graduation. When he was the Minister (in Sarawak Chief Minister’s Department – Integrity and Ombudsman), I asked for sponsorships meant to run programmes on integrity practices and the eradication of corruption; this was when I led Ikram Sarawak.
“I admire his stand of wanting to continue to serve the people, and care for their welfare and development,” said Ibrahim, who is also Sibuti Bersatu chief.
Talib, 70, is set to defend Jepak seat for Gabungan Parti Sarawak in this Dec 18 state polls, against Independent candidate Tuah Kazan, Stevenson Joseph Sumbang from Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) and Dr Raba’ah Tudin from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).