By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 8: Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang spoke up to defend former Sarawak governor the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in the august House today, calling on Opposition members to be respectful, despite risking breaching the Standing Orders.
“If there’s any rule that I’m breaching under the Standing Orders… To speak or not to speak, I’ll breach it just for this particular moment, in support for this Motion (of Thanks to Taib), which I cannot help but speak up,” said Idris.
It is unusual for a Deputy Speaker to debate on a motion, but he stood for several debates following Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen’s refusal to support the motion and allegation that Taib’s administration when he was the chief minister was ‘suspicious’.
“The late Tun Taib was only 27 when he was made a minister of the Sarawak government, which was a record for any Sarawakian or even Malaysian. He was a smart Colombo Plan’s scholar and an erudite lawyer.
“So, it speaks for itself. Even the British at the time saw someone who was a beacon for the people of Sarawak. As Chief Minister for 33 years, he had left us with a huge legacy of development.
“He had left for every soul in Sarawak at least some benefits for themselves and for the future of their children,” said Idris.
Recalling Taib’s advice to him, Idris repeated: “Give your best; help the needy; be truthful; be fair to everyone; respect even your enemy, but do not expect to please everyone.”
Idris reiterated the phrase “respect even your enemy” while looking at the Opposition bench.
Meanwhile, Idris urged all Sarawakians to be grateful for Taib’s contributions to the State.
“The grateful ones will say, ‘Thank you, Sir’. The grateful ones with the slightest sense of gratitude would not be silent but say thank you.
“This is what we should do as Sarawakians, as every Sarawakian who benefitted from his love for Sarawak,” he added. — DayakDaily
