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SHE was “shinning from within” and “walking on air” after the book launch. 

“I feel good,” said Datin Norlailah, widow of Sabah’s first full-time reporter the late Datuk Mohd Fauzi Patel after the book launch on ‘What Sabahans should Know’ at the State Library, Tanjung Aru, Feb 14.

The book, jointly compiled by Datuk James Sarda, Editor-in-chief of the Daily Express and Professor Datuk Danny Wong, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti of Malaya, details veteran journalist Patel’s insights that cover crucial aspects of Sabah’s political history from before and after the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Noteworthy are the series of exclusive interviews Patel gave Daily Express Chief Editor Datuk James Sarda before his death, Prof Danny said. 

It provides Patel’s perspective on the key sometimes controversial events that shaped the State’s political landscape.

A long awaited day 

“It’s actually taken quite a long time, but we are very happy that at least it has come out according to the recommendations,” Judy Lee, who is related to Datin Norlailah, chipped in.

“This is a long-waited book, which we have been waiting since last year, and I am happy with the book,” added Judy, an ex- medical health care worker of 39 years at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.  

For Judy, the brief DE interview turned out to be a longer “at last” surprise. 

When reader finally found out   

“Oh, you are Mr Kan, I have been always following your articles and your columns, finally today I meet Mr Kan, it’s such an honour to meet you in person at last!

“I’ve read a lot of your blog. I mean, next to my brother-in-law who used to write. You are one of the person that I’ve always read your articles.”

Well, for a while, I thought such personal accolade may best be left out for risk of being interpreted as self-conceit.

But for the Daily Express, such unexpected high opinion feedbacks certainly are welcomed gems of value worth being documented. 

Notice that the title of the book is attractively “What Sabahans should Know.”

So I asked Prof Danny, who by the way was my ex Form Six student at La Salle: “What are the things Sabahans Should Know?”

He said: “Yes, especially during the last days of his life, Patel gave James , editor-in-chief of Daily Express a series of interviews which were never ever published anywhere before. 

“These are very interesting stories on not just personal life experiences but also controversial political matters which are included in the first part of the book.”   

Last but not least, in his speech Datuk James noted Patel’s strict directive that proceeds from the boo should go to charity, not profit.

So it was, representatives of Good Shepherd Services which provides refuge for victims of domestic violence and Bukit Harapan – a Care Centre for Special need, abandoned children, victims of abuse received mock cheques RM25,000 each courtesy of good hearted Datuk Robert Tan and SMJE Sdn Bhd.