Taib’s son recalls father’s soft, loving side
Growing up as the sons of the former Sarawak chief minister and governor did not mean that we could take things for granted. He would always remind us that we were capable of succeeding, and therefore, had to work hard without fail.
Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir
The late former governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was described by his son Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir as one who was strict and disciplined but also had a soft spot for his children.
In reminiscing about his father, Bekir – the second of the four siblings – said they were often advised to work hard and not to take things for granted.
“Growing up as the sons of the former Sarawak chief minister and governor did not mean that we could take things for granted. He would always remind us that we were capable of succeeding, and therefore, had to work hard without fail.
“There was no excuse. If we failed, it was because of our own faults,” he said when met with brother Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman after the burial rites were performed at the family cemetery in Demak Jaya here, yesterday.
Despite Taib’s resolute firmness and hectic work schedules, Bekir said their father would still make time for his children.
“He was one who gave his fullest commitment to work, was very strict in our upbringing and put much emphasis on education,” he added.
In recalling his childhood memories, Bekir said there was once when his father fell asleep and snored loudly in the cinema because he was just too tired.
“He often took us out to watch movies after he returned from the office and no matter how busy he was then, he would still make time for us.”
He also recalled the times that Taib brought them to his office after school.
“My father was serving as a minister in the federal Cabinet then and was in- charge of communication and information affairs. We would be taken to his office in Angkasapuri (headquarters of Radio Televisyen Malaysia) after school and we even had the opportunity to go to the studios to watch shows.
“We also had the chance to explore and see for ourselves how to grow crops and rear fish during our visits to Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (now Universiti Putra Malaysia) in Serdang during our father’s service in the Ministry of Agricultural and Commodity Industry then,” he said.
According to Bekir, Taib had spent a lot of time outstation and on official duties abroad when he became the defence minister in 1978.
“At that time, he would bring one of us to accompany him on official visits, where he would use his own money to cover his child’s travel expenses.
“But if our mother (the late Datuk Patinggi Puan Sri Hajjah Laila Taib) accompanied him, he would then bring all four of us,” he said, to which he now understands why his father had given them such exposure.
“He had taught us to work hard, in such a way that he also prioritised family values. Our family can’t thank the state government enough for granting a state funeral to our father, and this is indeed very meaningful to our family.
“Thank you to everyone, especially the state and federal government agencies for all the help, as well as to the Malaysian Armed Forces who have helped us from the beginning to the end of this funeral ceremony.
“In representing my family, we sincerely apologise to anyone whom we may have hurt in words or actions, especially during this bereavement period. We are truly sorry,” he said.
Besides Bekir and Sulaiman, Taib and Laila have two daughters, Jamilah Hamidah and Dato Hanifah Hajar who is Deputy Economy Minister.