By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 8: The late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, the former governor of Sarawak, stood as a knowledgeable advisor, a wise mentor, and a loyal friend to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari said this was especially true when he first assumed the responsibility as then Chief Minister after the passing of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
“As a leader, words cannot express how grateful I am for the support and advice given by the late Taib.
“All his contributions will always be remembered and become the greatest history of all of us Sarawakians,” he said when tabling the Motion of Thanks to Taib in the august House here today.
Commending Taib’s contributions in Sarawak’s unity, Abang Johari said the former had always encouraged close cooperation between the various races in Sarawak through the concept of ‘Confluence of Rivers’.
For the sake of strengthening harmony and sovereignty, Taib always ensured that the rights of Sarawak were preserved to protect the economic, political and social interests of Sarawakians.
“Therefore, together let us continue his efforts to safeguard the sovereignty, unity and harmony that has been fostered all this time,” Abang Johari urged.
In honouring Taib, Abang Johari also mentioned some of his distinguished contributions to Sarawak including the establishment of the Ministry of Industrial Development; construction of the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone; development of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score), set up of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) in 1992, Curtin University Malaysia, Miri in 1999 and Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus in 2000.
“This august House hereby expresses and records its profound gratitude and deepest appreciation for the long, invaluable and distinguished service the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had so admirably rendered to the State of Sarawak and all its people, from the period of July 1963 to January 2024.” — DayakDaily
