Tony Blair in Sabah

Tony Blair leaving the Sacred

Heart church in Kota Kinabalu

This is when parishioners realised

that Tony Blair was at their church

Excited church-goers greeting

Tony and Cherie Blair.


This is why we need a
camera phone

A moment in church

ON Sunday, 2nd August, 2009, I woke up early because I was told the night before that former British prime minister Mr Tony Blair was going to attend Sunday mass at the Stella Maris church in Tanjung Aru. I reached just before 8am, and after asking around, I found out that he wasn't there. My colleague, Datu Ruslan and I, left after we were sure he was not around.

When we reached our office, we got a tip off that Mr Blair, his wife Mrs Cherie Blair and maybe 2 of their children had just entered the Sacred Heart cathedral, about 5 minutes outside Kota Kinabalu, so we rushed over. And yes, the Blairs were there. The best part parishioners were not aware he was among them. Some thought he looked familiar, others later told us that they thought he was a football star. I wasnt able to speak to him because everything happened too fast, but I want to share the story I wrote, with you:


Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair caused a stir at a local church here when he came for mass with his family as part of a private visit to Sabah. Many didn't realise that he was seated at a pew in the middle of the Sacred Heart Catholic church until prayers ended at about 10.20am yesterday, and Blair stood up to leave the hall.


Those who recognised him started shaking his hand, not bothered by body guards who followed Blair closely as he left the church for a multi-purpose van parked just metres away. Some started taking photos with their handphones and others managed to take pictures with him and wife Cherie Blair, as their children disappeared into a vehicle.


Dressed in a black collared t-shirt, white slacks and skin-coloured flip flops, Blair who served as Prime Minister for a decade until 2007, offered a smile to everyone and accomodated a request from a few parishioners who wanted to have their photos taken with him. The excitement lasted less than five minutes before he was whisked away into his waiting van, but church-goers who spoke or shook hands with him lingered on for a while.


Civil servant Christopher Chiu said Blair took his hand when he offered to shake it when they left the hall. "I was so surprised when I saw him because I didn't realise that he was in church. He was so nice to me. "He told me that he liked the cathedral and was glad that many people had come for mass. "He said he is here on a private visit with his family," Chiu, an officer with the Road Transport Department, said.


Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said he didn't know that the Blair family was sitting behind him. "I saw his wife (Cherie) and I thought that she looked familiar. It is only when I saw the excitement outside that I knew Blair was behind me, and who the lady I saw was. "I didn't manage to speak with him or shake his hand, but I am very happy that he joined us for Sunday service," Liew said.


It is learnt that Blair and his family arrived in Kota Kinabalu close to a week ago for a holiday. Blair is actively involved in charitable events through the Tony Blair Sports Foundation and the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. He is also known for his views on climate change and recently produced a report called "Technology for a Low Carbon Future."