KUCHING, Jan 28: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has conveyed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to former Sarawak Governor (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for devoting his life to the development and wellbeing of Sarawak.
In a press statement issued by Office of Premier of Sarawak (OPS) today, Abang Johari said Taib’s tenure as the seventh Sarawak Governor has ended after assuming the role for the last 10 years since 2014.
He noted that Taib started his public service at a young age when the latter became a member of the first State cabinet after Sarawak was given the power of self-government by the British on July 22, 1963.
In 1966, Taib moved to the federal level to serve in various ministerial capacities in the federal government.
“He came back to Sarawak as Chief Minister in 1981 taking over from the late Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’akub as the fourth Chief Minister of Sarawak.
“As Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Abdul Taib has shown his true quality as a leader of the people of various races and religious beliefs in Sarawak by unifying the people and bringing about political stability in Sarawak under his ‘politics of development’ philosophy.
“He was instrumental in implementing policies to secure Sarawak’s future as a modern economy, particularly by exploiting new sources of wealth under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). He is the father of modern Sarawak,” Abang Johari said.
He also mentioned Taib’s quality as a great leader is also exemplified in bringing up new leaders like the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, the Premier himself and other young leaders.
Taib is succeeded by Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who received the letter of appointment as the Sarawak Governor from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah at Istana Negara on Jan 26. — DayakDaily
