PUBLISHING speeches verbatim is immensely rare. But we make an exception here, on this very special occasion that honours “one of Borneo’s greatest champions” – Guest of Honour at the book launch, Tan Jiew Hoe, the last of an unprecedented six speakers, puts it.**
In our news report on July 16 following the book launch the previous day, I used the words “botanical titan” to describe Lamb, signifying his towering stature, immense knowledge and monumental impact as a giant in the field of tropical plant science, particularly orchids, pitcher plants and the wild fruits of Borneo, as well as their conservation.
So, besides the massive crowd who heard the speech at the book launch, we decided to give the wider public the opportunity to read what was said in full, while also documenting, word for word, the tribute paid to the “botanical titan”.
Tan, a senior vice president of the Singapore Gardening Society, no doubt cherished his longtime bosom friend Tony, with whom he shared a common passion for botany, often working together on the research and publication of botanical books on Borneo.
Tan said calling Tony “one of Borneo’s greatest champions” is a fitting tribute to his “immense botanical knowledge, easy-going humility, and a rare gift for making science accessible and engaging to everyone, from academics to villagers.”
Here is the speech in full:Advertisement
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Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
A very good morning to you all.
First and foremost, allow me to acknowledge our distinguished guests present here today:
Datin Anthea Lamb; Serena and Alex; Datuk C.L. Chan, the author of this remarkable volume;
Datin Connie, Chan Hin Ching, Shuk Ling and Shuk Mun; members of the Lamb and Chan families;distinguished guests; friends and admirers of Anthony Lamb; ladies and gentlemen.
It is both an honour and a deeply meaningful privilege to join you this morning (July 15, 2026) for the launch of The Last Colonial Officer of North Borneo: The Enduring Legacy of Anthony Lamb (at Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu).
This book is far more than a biography.
It is a tribute, a historical record and, above all, a celebration of an extraordinary life devoted to Borneo, its people and its incomparable natural heritage.
Today’s occasion carries an even deeper significance because July 15 was deliberately chosen to coincide with what would have been Tony Lamb’s eighty-eight birthday.
It is therefore especially fitting that we honour his memory on a day that once marked the beginning of a life that would leave such a profound and enduring legacy.
To speak of Anthony Lamb – known affectionately to so many simply as Tony – is to speak of a man whose life transcended titles and professions.
He was not merely a colonial officer, nor simply a botanist, naturalist or author.
He was, in every sense of the word, one of Borneo’s greatest champions.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Tony will remember a man of immense knowledge and exceptional humility.
He possessed an encyclopaedic understanding of the forests of Borneo – the orchids hidden among mist-covered mountains, the wild fruits of the rainforest and the intricate ecological relationships that sustained entire ecosystems.
Yet despite his international reputation, he remained modest, approachable and unfailingly generous in sharing his knowledge.
Tony did not simply study plants; he understood the stories they told.
He could stand before a single forest tree and speak not only of its scientific name, but also of the birds and mammals that depended upon its fruits, the communities that relied upon it and the vital role it played within the rainforest.
For Tony, every species had significance, every landscape held memories and every journey into the forest offered the promise of discovery.
Many here will remember accompanying Tony on field expeditions that have since become legendary among botanists and naturalists.
He walked tirelessly through muddy trails and dense jungle, ever observant, endlessly curious and always eager to share what he knew.
The sight of a rare orchid flowering high upon a moss-covered branch could fill him with the excitement of someone making a wonderful discovery for the very first time.
What made Tony truly exceptional was not only the depth of his expertise, but also the generosity with which he shared it.
He believed that knowledge should never be confined to specialists alone.
Whether speaking to academics, students, villagers or young conservationists, he possessed the rare gift of making science accessible, engaging and inspiring.
Among his many enduring contributions was his instrumental role in establishing the Sabah Agriculture Park in Tenom.
Tony envisioned the park not merely as a botanical collection, but as a living centre for education, conservation and the appreciation of biodiversity.
Tony travelled frequently to Singapore, and I always regarded it as a great privilege whenever he stayed with me.
During many of his visits, we explored gardens together and collected plant material from my own garden and other locations.
These specimens enriched the remarkable collection he had assembled from around the world, enabling him to create educational displays that introduced countless visitors to the extraordinary diversity and beauty of the plant kingdom.
Today, the Sabah Agriculture Park stands as a lasting testament to his vision and his unwavering belief that the people of Borneo should cherish and protect their natural heritage.
Tony’s publications on the flora of Borneo, particularly his books on orchids and wild fruits, remain indispensable references today.
Yet they are far more than scientific works.
They reflect the man himself – meticulous, observant, patient and deeply respectful of nature.
In Tony’s writing, scientific rigour and a genuine love of the natural world existed in perfect harmony.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Tony Lamb passed away in 2024 at the age of eighty-six.
His passing left a profound void among his family, friends, colleagues and the countless people whose lives he touched.
Yet his legacy continues to flourish – in the forests he helped document, the institutions he helped establish and the generations of naturalists, botanists and conservationists whom he inspired.
In many ways, Tony served as a bridge: between science and society, between conservation and culture, and between people and nature.
He taught us that the natural world is not merely something to classify, but something to understand, respect and safeguard for future generations.
It is therefore especially fitting that this important book has been written by one of Tony’s closest friends, Datuk C.L. Chan, who is also a close and valued friend of mine.
I extend my warmest congratulations to Datuk Chan on this truly monumental achievement.
The sheer scale of his research reflects the depth of his admiration for Tony and his unwavering commitment to preserving this remarkable story.
His work has resulted in a magnificent volume weighing 1.7 kilograms and comprising no fewer than 752 pages.
This is far more than a book; it is an extraordinary labour of love, scholarship and enduring friendship.
Within these pages, Datuk Chan has achieved something truly remarkable.
He has not merely chronicled the events of Tony’s life; he has captured the very essence of the man – his humour, humanity, quiet wisdom and lifelong devotion to Borneo.
Through meticulous research, treasured memories and genuine friendship, he has brought Tony vividly back to life.
This is not simply the story of one remarkable individual.
It is also the story of a disappearing era – the closing chapter of colonial North Borneo and the emergence of modern Sabah.
Through Tony’s life, readers gain a rare and invaluable insight into the transformation of Borneo across decades of history, scientific discovery and conservation.
For future generations, this book will become an invaluable record.
It reminds us that lasting achievements are built upon dedication, intellectual curiosity, humility and perseverance.
Above all, it demonstrates how a single individual, guided by passion and purpose, can leave a legacy that endures long after his lifetime.
Today, we celebrate not merely the publication of a book, but the preservation of a remarkable legacy.
We honour a man who devoted his life to understanding and protecting the natural heritage of Borneo.
We honour a friendship that made this remarkable publication possible.
And we honour the enduring values of knowledge, conservation and scholarship.
May the Last Colonial Officer of North Borneo: The Enduring Legacy of Anthony Lamb find its rightful place in libraries, homes and hearts – not only throughout Sabah, but wherever people cherish history, nature and the lives of truly extraordinary individuals.
Anthony Lamb was, and will always remain, one of Borneo’s greatest champions.
Thank you.
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