KUCHING, Feb 21: Former Sarawak Head of State (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s early interest in Kuching’s development, even before the establishment of the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) in 1988, demonstrated his long-standing commitment to the city’s growth, according to MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
In a Facebook post today, Wee stated that Taib’s death affected him personally because Taib was a mentor who had always challenged him to do better.
“For the city of Kuching, the late Tun has taken an early interest even before MBKS was established in 1988.
“With his keen interest, the State’s capital has developed into the vibrant city that it is today, well-loved by our residents and winning accolades from visitors and tourists,” he said.
Wee continued: “I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to YABhg Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, as well as the family of the late YABhg Tun Taib Mahmud.”
Meanwhile, former MBKS mayor Dato James Chan expressed in a statement today that Taib was a fine leader and a ‘Anak Sarawak’ who did so much to bring Sarawak to a point that allowed succeeding leaders to continue developing Sarawak to what it is today: stable, prosperous, and peaceful.
He went on to say that the signs of Taib’s progress could be seen all over Sarawak, demonstrating his wisdom in developing the State.
“His cry for peace and unity among all ethnic groups still stays loud until today, and that is why Sarawak is so blessed to have a leader like Tun Pehin Sri.
“He was fair to all races and religions, which is why Sarawak has enjoyed peace and prosperity for many years,” he noted.
Chan continued: “I, for one, when managing MBKS as its mayor, gained a lot of support from the late Tun Pehin Sri Taib, and everyone in the MBKS area benefited from it. He was certainly a great statesman of Sarawak and he would be missed greatly.”
Furthermore, in a statement issued today, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Dato Peter Minos stated that Taib did a lot for Sarawak while in office, including the development of Bintulu, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Universiti Teknologi MARA (Uitm), and Samarahan, among others.
“Sarawak has lost a great man. On racial harmony and unity, he (Taib) repeatedly urged Sarawakians to uphold harmony, resulting in no racial or religious tensions in Sarawak.
“On politics, he prevented United Malays National Organisation (Umno) from entering, which is good. If Umno comes in, we will have a lot of problems.
“Whatever some people say, I still think Tun Taib was great. He did his utmost for Sarawak development while in office. May God bless him,” Minos claimed.
Taib, who served as Sarawak’s Chief Minister for over three decades, passed away at the age of 87 this morning at 4.28am at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur. — DayakDaily
