SUPP mourns passing of party loyalist, ‘father of hawkers’ Song Swee Guan

SUPP leaders led by SUPP president Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (third right) pay their final respects to the late Datuk Song Swee Guan. — The Borneo Post pic 

First Published: Tuesday, 06 Oct 2026 10:05 AM MYT

MIRI, Oct 6 — The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has paid tribute to veteran member and former leader Datuk Song Swee Guan, who passed away Sunday at the age of 84.

SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting said the party was deeply saddened by the passing of Kuching South’s first mayor, and extended his condolences on behalf of the leadership and all members.

“Song devoted a significant part of his life to public service and to serving the people of Sarawak, in particular Kuching.

“Throughout his long career, he served in many important capacities, including as state assemblyman for Padungan, Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching, and Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly,” he said in a statement.

“He will always occupy a special place in the history of Kuching.”

Ting said as Kuching South’s founding mayor in August 1988, Song helped lay the foundations for the development and administration of Kuching South, serving until 1996.

“He was was known as the ‘father of hawkers’ during his time as mayor. He was also among the pioneers in greening the city, and his policies on education, urban poverty eradication, job creation, vocational training and infrastructure development have been described as the cornerstone of today’s Kuching South,” he added.

Song was Padungan assemblyman for four terms from 1983 to 2001, and Bandar Kuching MP from 1995 to 2003.

In November 1996, he was appointed State Legislative Assembly Speaker, a post he held until 2000.

Ting said that within SUPP, Song was a dedicated party member and leader who served the party and the people for many years.

“His association with the Padungan area, in particular, formed an important chapter in SUPP’s history of service in Kuching.

“While we mourn his passing, we also remember with gratitude his years of dedication, sacrifice and contribution to SUPP, to Kuching, and to Sarawak,” he said.

Ting last night accompanied SUPP president Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and other party leaders in paying their last respects to Song. — The Borneo Post