Sarawak PKR chairperson Baru Bian paid tribute to the late former deputy chief minister of the state Daniel Tajem as one who stood up for the good cause of the Dayak people.

“The late Tajem comes across to me as a man of principle who genuinely wanted to help the Dayaks to prosper.

"In all his actions, the late Tajem was insistent in acting within the law, and in doing what was right,” said the newly minted MP for Selangau.

Baru Bian, who is also Ba’kelalan assemblyperson, told Malaysiakini in a statement today that he knew Tajem since the 1990s when both of them were members of PBDS.

“We were together in the party until it got de-registered. As a lawyer, Tajem fought vehemently for the native customary rights of the Dayak people to be duly recognised.

“Even in his senior years he was roped in to appear in the Federal Court in the Masa Nangkai case involving the Land Custody and Development Authority,” he noted.

“I am indeed sad to learn of the passing of Tajem. I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife Ivy and his family."

Tajem passed away early this morning at the age of 82 at his residence in Jalan Urat Mata in Kuching.

He also leaves behind three children and seven grandchildren.