Taib hails S’ wakians for unity, maturity
LAWAS: Sarawak has been able to witness a smooth power transition between three chief ministers in two years and uninterrupted progress because of the maturity of her people in upholding political stability and their collective responsibility to see a united and progressive state.
And because of this trait, the people of Sarawak now are self- confident and are able to determine their own destiny and new leaders are emerging to take the state to greater heights.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud mentioned this in his speech at the Lawas Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at Hotel Seri Malaysia yesterday, which was attended by some 1,500 people from Lawas district.
“Sarawak is fortunate to have such leaders with a deep sense of responsibility for the greater good of Sarawak.
“I am proud to see the succeeding generation of leaders who are able to unite the people with the ultimate struggle of uplifting the state and her people,” he said.
In his speech earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan regarded Taib, who was the fourth chief minister of Sarawak (19802015), as the father of modern Sarawak who was able to unite the people of diverse ethnicities in the state.
He said Sarawak and her people were fortunate to be served by Taib as chief minister and now Head of State, whom he described as the architect who laid down the foundation for the economic growth of the state.
On a related matter, he said the strength of Sarawak lies in unity among her people and their participation as stakeholders in the progress of the state.
He said Sarawak has managed to succeed, irrespective of how lofty some of her goals seemed to be, and progressed from being the second most backward state to be among the top progressive states in the country.
Likewise, he hoped Lawas, which is strategically located, will benefit from economic growth in the Asean region.
Later, Taib and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib presented ‘duit raya’ to 20 orphans and performed the cake- cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
Raghad was impressed with the quality and beauty of the locally made necklace presented to her by Awang Tengah’s wife Datin Amar Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud as a memento, drawing admiration from Taib and other guests on stage as she tried it on.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Assistant Minister of ECommerce Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Limbang Resident Datu Maria Hasman, Lawas district officer Hussaini Hakim and community leaders from Lawas District also attended the function.
Sarawak is fortunate to have such leaders with a deep sense of responsibility for the greater good of Sarawak. Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Head of State