Robert Lau
Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chiew (simplified Chinese: 刘会洲; traditional Chinese: 劉會洲; pinyin: Liú Huìzhōu; 15 September 1942 – 9 April 2010) was a Malaysian politician. He represented Sibu in the Parliament of Malaysia from 1990 until his death in 2010, and served as Deputy Minister of Transport from April 2009 until his death. Lau was also a vice-president of the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP).[2][3]
Robert Lau | |
|---|---|
刘会洲 | |
 | |
| Deputy Minister of Transport | |
| In office 10 April 2009 – 9 April 2010 | |
| Monarch | Mizan Zainal Abidin |
| Prime Minister | Najib Razak |
| Minister | Ong Tee Keat |
| Preceded by | Lajim Ukin |
| Succeeded by | Jelaing Mersat |
| Constituency | Sibu |
| Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government | |
| In office 27 March 2004 – 9 April 2009 | |
| Monarch | Sirajuddin Mizan Zainal Abidin |
| Prime Minister | Abdullah Ahmad Badawi |
| Minister | Ong Ka Ting (2004–2008) Ong Ka Chuan (2008–2009) |
| Preceded by | Peter Chin Fah Kui |
| Succeeded by | Lajim Ukin |
| Constituency | Sibu |
| Chairman of Sibu Municipal Council | |
| In office April 1999 – 29 March 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Kong Sien Han[1] |
| Succeeded by | Tiong Thai King |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Sibu | |
| In office 21 October 1990 – 9 April 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Tiew Sung Seng (SUPP–BN) |
| Succeeded by | Wong Ho Leng (DAP) |
| Majority | 2,008 (1990) 4,845 (1995) 9,142 (1999) 3,340 (2004) 3,235 (2008) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 September 1942 Sibu, Japanese occupation of Sarawak (now Sarawak, Malaysia) |
| Died | 9 April 2010 (aged 67) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Political party | Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) |
| Other political affiliations | Barisan Nasional (BN) |
| Spouse(s) | Janet Lau Ung Hie (刘文惠) |
| Children | Alvin, Pierre and Tammy Lau; Tiffany Jane Ngu Ngee Hwong and Wong Siew Hung (adopted daughters) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Background
Lau was born to a poor family and his mother died when he was three years old. He was schooled at St Michael's College, Adelaide and studied accountancy at the South Australia Institute of Technology (now the University of South Australia). In Australia he met his wife, Kapitan Dato' Janet Lau Ung Hie.[4] He had three children with his wife; Alvin Lau Lee Ren (eldest son), Tammy Lau Lee Teng (daughter) and Pierre Lau Lee Wui (son).
His political career began in 1983 when he joined SUPP. He first contested a Parliamentary election in the 1990 Malaysian general election, winning the seat of Sibu against a Democratic Action Party candidate by a majority of 2,008 votes. He defended the seat in four further elections.[4]
Death
Lau died of bile duct cancer[3] (Cholangiocarcinoma) in his home in Kuala Lumpur on 9 April 2010.[2] His remains arrived in Sibu at night on the same day. His funeral was held on 11 April 2010. The funeral began with a procession around the Sibu town and a requiem mass. His body was later buried at Nirvana Memorial Park.[5]
Election results
| Year | Barisan Nasional | Votes | Pct | Opposition | Votes | Pct | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Robert Lau (SUPP) | 11,914 | 54% | Ling Sie Ming (DAP) | 9,906 | 45% | ||
| 1995 | Robert Lau (SUPP) | 15,317 | 56% | Wong Ho Leng (DAP) | 10,472 | 38% | ||
| 1999 | Robert Lau (SUPP) | 23,227 | 60% | Wong Sing Nang (DAP) | 14,085 | 37% | ||
| 2004 | Robert Lau (SUPP) | 20,501 | 54% | Wong Ho Leng (DAP) | 17,161 | 45% | ||
| 2008 | Robert Lau (SUPP) | 19,138 | 53% | Wong Ho Leng (DAP) | 15,903 | 44% |
Honours
Sarawak :
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Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (PGBK) - Datuk (2002)
References
- "Award in recognition of service, contribution to society, says Kong". The Borneo Post. 6 February 2010. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- "Sibu MP dies". The Malaysian Insider. 9 April 2010. Archived from the original on 11 April 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
- "Sibu MP and Dep Transport Minister Robert Lau dies (Updated)". The Star. Star Publications. 9 April 2010. Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
- "Sibu loses an illustrious son". The Borneo Post. The Borneo Post. 10 April 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- Datuk Robert Lau's Remains Arrive In Sibu Bernama
- "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". Election Commission of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2010. Percentage figures based on total turnout (including votes for other candidates not listed).