Leaders pay tribute to late Joseph Kurup
KOTA KINABALU: Tributes from state leaders poured in for the late Tan Sri Joseph Kurup who passed away in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday night.
Former Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman in remembering the late veteran politician said, “While serving as Sabah Chief Minister, I had the opportunity to work with Tan Sri Joseph, then President of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), an unwavering ally of Barisan Nasional. He was a seasoned politician having held several ministerial posts during a career that spanned four decades.
Musa said that as founder of PBRS, Kurup was the bedrock of the party and was President since its inception till he retired early last year.
“In this regard he was a party man and kept PBRS together against all odds before passing the torch to his son Arthur Kurup upon retiring from politics last year. Tan Sri Joseph was not only a political ally but a loyal friend who was open to discussions and upheld the BN spirit of mutual cooperation and respect. As a partner in BN, he remained steadfast till the end, not abandoning his friends in their hour of need.
“On behalf of my wife Puan Sri Faridah Haji Tussin and my family, I extend my deepest condolences to Puan Sri Melinda and the family of the late Tan Sri Joseph Kurup on his passing,” said Musa in a statement on Thursday.
United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) President Datuk Ewon Benedick in his tribute said the party has a history of close relations with PBRS.
“In leadership, the late Tan Sri Joseph has given his best to our people and our country. His passing is a loss, but also a reminder of his services. I have contacted YB Datuk Arthur to convey my condolences and those of UPKO on the passing of his beloved father, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
“I pray that Datuk Arthur and his family are given strength and comfort,” said the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister in a social media post on Thursday.
Ewon said that he and the UPKO leadership will pay their final respects to the late Kurup
Meanwhile Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) described the passing of Kurup as a great loss to Sabah.
Its president, Datuk Peter Anthony, said that Kurup, 79, was not only highly dedicated in carrying out his duties as a federal minister, but also consistent in his struggle to help the people of this state, especially in the interior.
He said Kurup was also one of the leaders of the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut (KDM) ethnic groups who had contributed greatly to his people.
“His (Kurup’s) passing has shocked us all. Personally, I admire him; he has rendered so many services, not only to the people of this state, but also to the entire nation.
“Condolences are extended to the entire family of the deceased, including my friend, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. May they remain steadfast in facing this difficult time,” he said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
Joseph, a former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department retired from politics in January last year after holding the position of President of PBRS since its establishment.
He was succeeded by his son, Datuk Arthur Joseph, 40, who was the Deputy President of PBRS and the Member of Parliament for Pensiangan.
The veteran politician held several ministerial positions throughout his political career spanning over four decades.
He served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah from 1986 to 1990 and again from 1994 to 1999.
His last position was as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (National Unity and Integration) from 2013 to 2018. He did not contest the Pensiangan seat in the 2018 general elections, paving the way for Arthur.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Kurup’s contributions and sacrifices would be remembered by the nation.
“My deepest condolences to the family. To Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup (who is the son) and family, may you be strong in accepting his passing,” said Anwar in a Facebook post.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Kurup was a friend, who had always enthusiastically supported the party through thick and thin.
He said on behalf of Barisan Nasional, he would like to record his deepest condolences to Arthur and family in facing this test.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said Kurup’s death was a great loss to the people.
“My heartfelt condolences to the family members of Kurup, who was the former president of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and a prominent figure to the people of Sabah,” he said.
Former PBRS secretary-general Datuk Johnson Tee said Kurup, who had been unwell in recent months, died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at 7pm.