Taib laid strong foundation for brighter future — Chong
KUCHING: The late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had laid a strong foundation for the present state government to move Sarawak towards a brighter future, said Chong Chieng Jen.
The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman said Taib’s contributions throughout his 33 years as chief minister has resulted in the development of the state.
“Though we may disagree on certain policies during his tenure as the chief minister, but overall, he has contributed tremendously to the development of the state.
“He laid a strong foundation for the present government to take Sarawak to another level,” he said in a statement.
In expressing his gratitude to Taib for his contributions to Sarawak, Chong extended his deepest condolences to Taib’s family on his demise.
Meanwhile, Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan said Taib was skilled in political manoeuvres and would be long remembered as a friend or foe in politics.
“He was seen as a shrewd master tactician in politics and was able to tame his political foes.
“He will be remembered for bringing those who opposed him to work with him and be in his government,” he said in a statement.
Voon recalled the major state leadership crisis in the mid1980s which saw Taib emerge victorious.
The failed Ming Court Affair in 1987 was an attempted coup by Taib’s political foes to bring him and his government down, but in fact helped Taib to identify his foes and the friends he could work with, Voon said.
He said being able to identify enemies enabled Taib to consolidate his power with the help of those who were loyal and whom he could trust.
“As chief minister, Taib was able to implement major projects that brought development to Sarawak through his Politics of Development policy, which also formed the basis for COME – change, opportunity, mobility, and equality – for all Sarawakians,” he said.
However, Voon claimed despite Taib’s efforts, Sarawak remains a backwards state.
“Despite having the necessary natural resources, Sarawak has much to catch up with Malaya,” he claimed.
Taib passed away early yesterday at the age of 87 at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
He served as governor from March 2014 to January 2024 and as Sarawak’s longest serving chief minister from March 1981 to February 2014.