[3] On returning to Sabah (or Crown Colony of North Borneo as it was known then), he worked for the Singapore law firm Donaldson & Burkinshaw in Sandakan between 1957 and 1961.

At the same time, in 1958, he took a position with the Sandakan Town Board and was soon promoted to the senior post of Deputy Chairman, which he held until 1961.

[3] At the same time, in 1961-62, he was appointed as a deputy in the Legislative Assembly of North Borneo and as such, also a member of the Sabah Public Services Commission.

It was around this time that the concept of a new nation comprising Malaya, Singapore and the Bornean states of Sabah and Sarawak was being put forward.

He was in charge during arguably one of the most difficult and turbulent times in Malaysia's history, having to ensure harmony in a new multi-racial nation, whilst also juggling often conflicting demands between the Federal, British and Sabah governments.

He was married to Rosie Dorothy Funk (deceased 2002) and left behind 4 children- Jenny, Cynthia, Bonaventure, Jacqueline - and son-in-law, Michael.