Taib a giant to Sarawak in ensuring progress, racial harmony, says Tiang

SIBU: Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang describes the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud as a giant to Sarawak who ensured the state progressed and upheld the racial harmony in the state.

He said under Taib’s leadership, Sarawak enjoyed economic growth, development and stability until today.

He also said that there was never a racial issue that arose during Taib’s administration.

“He maintained Sarawak’s integrity on racial harmony, and because of our timber industry at that time, he gave us a taste of prosperity in all trades.

“Of course, we do not talk about now, now we are talking about green energy. Politically, I always appreciate what Tun had been doing; that he maintained the political independence, Sarawak is always governed by our own local parties; there is no Umno in Sarawak. All our state leaders are Sarawakians, so we always mind our own business, and we build our state up, so that is very precious to me,” he said.

Tiang also said that under Taib’s leadership, the latter gathered all the local parties under his wings and because of that, he was able to sit together with another giant Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Tiang said he appreciated how Taib gracefully stepped down as Chief Minister and passed the baton to the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.

“It shows his wisdom as a state leader as he knows how to step down gracefully and pass the baton to his successor. Only one thing that is regretted is that he had some family issues and court cases before his passing,” he added.