KUCHING, Feb 22: Former Head of State, the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had devoted his entire political career in moulding modern day Sarawak into a lasting legacy.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar described his predecessor as a “Pillar of Harmony”, who had sowed the spirit of peace and harmony among the people of all races and religions in Sarawak.
“Tun Taib had sacrificed his entire 63 out of 87 years of his life to serve Sarawak and helped transformed a backwater Sarawak to what it is today.
“The fruit of his hard and laborious work to ensure that no race will be left out in all the policies while he was the Chief Minister of Sarawak for over three decades has continued to be fostered until today,” he said in a statement.
He added that Tun Taib fiercely guarded Sarawak’s immigration rights and kept all negative elements off Sarawak to built a region that celebrates religious freedom and racial diversity.
“He was indeed the “Pillar of Harmony” of Sarawak while he was the Chief Minister and later as the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri who again was the Governor for all,” he said.
The state funeral for Tun Taib takes place at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex, today.
He will then be laid to his final resting place at the family cemetery in Demak Jaya. -TVS
