By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, March 1: Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was sworn in as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today; his third term in the role.
The ceremony commenced with the reading of the letter of appointment of Yang di-Pertua Negeri by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
After that, Abdul Taib took his oath of office and signed the ‘Surat Angkat Sumpah Pelantikan’ and Surat Pengisytiharan’ witnessed by Abang Johari and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim.
Amongst those present at the ceremony were Abdul Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib, Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Amar Jumaani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion.
Taib, 85, first received the instrument of appointment to continue his service for two years from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al Mustafa Billal Shah at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur yesterday (Feb 28).
He then returned to Kuching at around 12.30pm earlier this afternoon, where he was welcomed by Uggah, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication II Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Jaul and Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik.
Earlier, Taib also received the guard of honour from the 10th Battalion of General Operations Force (GOF).
On March 1, 2014, Abdul Taib was sworn in as the seventh Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri after stepping down as Sarawak Chief Minister on Feb 28, 2014.
He was the fourth chief minister of Sarawak and held the post for 33 years since March 26, 1981, after he succeeded his uncle Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub. — DayakDaily
