KUCHING, May 23: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud celebrated his 87th birthday recently at Riverside Majestic Hotel.
In a news report by TVS, Taib and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, were greeted by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.
Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian were present, along with Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam and Datuk Patinggi Dr Alfred Jabu Numpang who were deputy chief ministers during Taib’s time as chief minister.
In his speech, Chan was quoted by TVS as praising Taib as ‘Sarawak’s architect’ for bringing tremendous change to the region.
“We have witnessed Sarawak’s rapid development, which included generating income and receiving investments.
“Other than that, his emphasis on education has benefited the younger generation with the establishment of two foreign universities in Sarawak—Curtin University and Swinburne University,” he said,
Chan also praised Taib for successfully making Sarawak a united region where tolerance is practised among the different races and religions.
Meanwhile, Jabu said Taib’s leadership has managed to produce knowledgeable leaders.
“Thank you for guiding us in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). We will continue to be united to ensure stability, harmony, and order for Sarawak.
“In another seven years, it (success) will emerge based on the inspiration of the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, based on the foundations worked by Tun,” he said. — DayakDaily
