Dr Sim: Taib always put Sarawak first
Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud always placed Sarawak first throughout his political career right up until his appointment as governor, said Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
The Deputy Premier said the 33 years of Taib’s tenure as chief minister resulted not just in political stability but also social and religious harmony, which have continued to be practised until today.
“Apart from politics of development in Sarawak, Tun’s legacy was to ensure that only Sarawak-based political parties could govern Sarawak rather than to let (peninsula-based) Umno or Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) come to Sarawak,” he said in a tribute to Taib on Facebook.
Dr Sim said Taib’s passing meant that Sarawak had lost another great Anak Sarawak.
“Tun was my late father Tan Sri Datuk Amar Sim Kheng Hong’s political partner, the chief of his Cabinet, a family friend, and my Sarawak Heart Foundation (SHF) chairman.
“He was the main initiator responsible for the relocation of cardiac service from Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) to Samarahan as well as to have it operated under Ministry of Health Malaysia rather than the university in 2001.
“After the late (Taib’s wife) Datuk Amar Laila Taib passed away in 2009, Tun took over the chairmanship of SHF and had always focused on how to help the cardiac service in Sarawak Heart Centre and the patients,” Dr Sim said, adding that he learnt a lot from Taib, particularly on strategy planning during board meetings over the years.
Apart from politics of development in Sarawak, Tun’s legacy was to ensure that only Sarawak-based political parties could govern Sarawak rather than to let (peninsula-based) Umno or Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) come to Sarawak.
Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian
He also reminisced on the times when Taib used to share his vision of Sarawak and other advice during his term as Head of State.
“One in particular, which I remember until today was: ‘Never listen to what a person says. Study his or her character.’
“He also used to tell me: ‘Many people had come to me saying bad things about you, but I told them I know Dr Sim since he was small. Do you know him as long as me?’,” Dr Sim recalled.
Dr Sim ended the tribute by thanking Taib for all his contributions to Sarawak.
“Al-Fatihah and rest in peace,” he said.
Taib passed away at around 4.40am yesterday at the age of 87 at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
A state funeral will be held for Taib today, with two days of mourning declared starting yesterday.