How did the deputy minister fare during his 28-year political journey?
COMRADES IN POLITICS: Robert (fourth left) with members of SUPP. He worked with them for 27 years.
That was the question hovering over Sibu the day Datuk Robert Lau died.
Unknown to many, his political journey had never been a bed of roses. There were moments of joy and laughter but also of anxiety and tears.
His wife Kapitan Datin Janet Lau felt the hand of the Guardian Angel leading them on, and they found their life blessed despite the distressing moments encountered.
Janet told The Borneo Post this when making her first public appearance after her husband's cousin, Robert Lau Junior whom he had hand-picked as his successor, filed his nomination papers last week.
Janet had avoided the limelight after her husband's death but in the recent interview, she unfolded the many behind-the-scene stories she and Robert shared but had never made public.
Robert was a devout Catholic.
He was baptised when he was a boarding student of Sacred Heart School.
Janet said there were moments when Robert shed tears, and many a night, she found him getting up when inspiration dawned on him for the rebuilding of Sibu. He had sleepless nights.
"It was faith that kept him on. He always said he had a mission, and there was a cross on his shoulder for the people."
There were moments of weakness especially when her husband was misunderstood for what he was doing for the people.
The kapitan said Robert would often draw her to him during such moments, and the two would pray together.
"These were the most amazing moments because after the prayer and a good night's sleep, Robert's worries would be washed away by next morning, and he would move on."
She said their prayers were for the people, what Robert had aspired and for their family and loved ones.
It was faith that had been Robert's guarding hand for 27 years.
"But there were sad moments too, especially when the people misunderstood Robert's intention."
Janet said she felt pain when she saw her husband being belittled, humiliated and the butt of jokes.
She recalled a case when a villager stomped into Robert's office, demanding Robert pick up all the stones on the road leading to his house.
He was displeased with the stones the local council had sent for the road repair.
Then there was another time when Robert returned from a door-to-door call on people, looking distressed.
An aged woman had sarcastically asked Robert to swallow all her leftover food because Robert had forbidden her to rear ducks and chickens.
But one of the toughest times was when Robert was relocating over 1,000 hawkers to the central market from the streets, Janet said.
"The hawkers were fuming because they distrusted Robert. They feared they would lose their livelihood in the relocation."
"One stomped into his office to threaten suicide and ask Robert to feed his family. Another rushed in with a piece of wood, wanting to beat him up."
Janet said there were countless instances of such distrust, yet Sibu central market is today walking into the Malaysia's Book of Records for being the largest roofed market with over 1,400 stalls. The hawkers are smiling today.
In another instance, Janet said Robert had returned one day depressed.
"He told me: ‘Do you know? We have so many friends out there. The residents of Sibu have named their dogs Robert and Janet.'"
Janet said what pained her husband was not because he had been humiliated.
"He saw me being shamed for his sake. He wanted to protect me. All these moments came and went, and each time, our prayers would wash Robert of his distress."
But the darkest moment came for Robert when he found he was struck with chronic illness in 2008.
She said Robert did not only pray for health and for the family, but for the rebuilding of the schools he was committed to.
She said her husband had become so committed that whenever he returned from Kuala Lumpur, he would visit these schools to see the rebuilding progress.
"The schools became his second home. There were a few reasons for Robert to redevelop these schools."
She said Robert had grown up poor, and he knew how important education was for children if he wanted to see Sibu grow.
"He wanted the poor to have a fair chance in education, and a good one. Robert always said the student catchment areas of the mission schools were youths from poor families."
She said Robert struggled for more than a year with his sickness.
"The last prayer of Robert was a plea to let him live for a few more years so that he could finish rebuilding these schools."
But Janet felt God had His plan, and when Robert was called home last month, help started pouring in to continue the work of her late husband.
She said Robert had finished his journey. "Another will continue it."
She said during his 27 years in politics, her husband shared a dream with her, and they had often quoted to the people the inspirational words of Martin King Luther: "I have a dream".
Tears are still in the heart of Janet but she has emerged a stronger woman. Her husband had taught her so.
The journey continues.
The Borneo Post
