Pekadin Vice-President, Timah Dusip, said John deserved such an honour as he successfully raised the State's image through his multi-talented roles as a musician, singer and songwriter, especially in the local Kadazandusun dialect.
He added that John, who was once dubbed Sabah's Tom Jones, had carved a name for himself in the industry after winning third place in the Bintang RTM 1976 competition, which was won by the late Sudirman Arshad.
John died tragically at 26 in a road accident in Penampang on August 11, 1981.
"It was clear, after Bintang RTM 1976 John breathed new life and propelled Sabah's music industry, through Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) music, to the nation's mainstream music industry."
"He was a multi-talented artiste who could sing, play music and write songs and many of his songs are still popular today including "Norikot Nodi Bulan Lima" - a Kaamatan song. Pekadin feels his extraordinary skills and talents to be on par with P.Ramlee," he said here, Saturday.
Timah was speaking in support of John, who was selected as the winner of the evergreen category at the KDM Screen Awards organised by the Sabah KDM Film and Music Activist Association in Hongkod Koisaan, Penampang, near here, Friday night.
The awards ceremony was officiated by Information, Communication and Culture Deputy Minister, Senator Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz.
The Sabah Local Artistes Association also supported that John be honoured by the State Government.
Its Vice-President, Narsisius Justin Misin, said the gifted musician had written many songs in his short lifetime.
Sources: Daily Express
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