Kota Kinabalu: Malaysians from across the country paid tribute to former Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud who died at the age of 87 early Wednesday.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor expressed his condolences to the family of Taib, saying with the passing of Taib, who was also former Sarawak Chief Minister, Sarawak has lost a leader who had contributed greatly to the people and development of the State.
“Heartfelt condolences to the family and may Allah show mercy on his soul,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
Taib died at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur at 4.40am.
His remains were taken to the National Mosque for the funeral rites before being brought back to Kuching for burial.
Former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman also extended his condolences to family members of Taib.
“He was a true statesman and a far-sighted leader who took Sarawak out of the backwaters and turned it into a progressive and economically vibrant State.
“This consequently spurred its socio-economic development and elevated the people’s standard of living,” he said in a statement.
Musa added he had the opportunity to work closely with Taib during his tenure as Chief Minister.
“He was a very focused and experienced leader who not only developed Sarawak but succeeded in uniting the multi-ethnic and religiously diverse communities in the State.
“May Allah SWT grant his soul Jannat-ul-Firdaus.”
Another former Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie, said Taib contributed greatly to the development of Sarawak and Malaysia.
He said the deceased had succeeded in leading and mobilising the energy of Sarawakian leaders from multiple backgrounds to sit together under one leadership for the development of the state.
“The contribution of the deceased is quite large in development and uniting the people. May the soul of the deceased always be blessed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia, especially Sarawak, lost a respected statesman.
“On behalf of the administration of the Madani Government, I extend our condolences to the family of the late Tun (Taib) and the people of Sarawak.
“We, and especially the people of Sarawak, have truly lost a respected statesman,” he said in a post on X.
Anwar also said Taib’s service and dedication to the country and the State of Sarawak would always be remembered.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg pledged to continue Taib’s legacy.
“On behalf of the people of Sarawak, we certainly feel the loss of a leader who dedicated his entire life to the people of Malaysia and, more importantly, the people of Sarawak.
“My colleagues and I will continue to develop Sarawak and Malaysia in a more organised direction, especially in the need for global energy transition,” he said.
Abang Johari said Taib had served since the formation of Malaysia in 1963 as a minister in the first governments of Sarawak and Malaysia and made a significant contribution, including being one of the architects of Petronas.
Taib was the longest serving head of a state government in Malaysia, heading the Sarawak Government for 33 years from 1981 to 2014.
He was the country’s second-longest serving MP, serving Kota Samarahan for 38 years from 1970 to 2008.
He also served as Sarawak Governor from 2014 until late last month.
Taib is widely credited with developing the state through numerous infrastructure projects. In January, he was described by Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg as the “father of modern Sarawak”.
Meanwhile, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Queen of Malaysia, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah also conveyed their condolences.
“The late Abdul Taib made a significant impact and will always be remembered, especially by the people of the Land of the Hornbills. Al-Fatihah,” the post on Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page read.
The Malay Rulers also expressed their sadness and conveyed condolences to the family of Abdul Taib over his passing.
