I learned a lot from late Kurup – CM
KOTA KINABALU: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup contributed a lot to Sabah and Malaysia, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
Hajiji added that Joseph’s demise was a loss.
“We have lost a leader and a friend in our struggle,” he said to reporters after paying his last respects to the deceased at Wisma Fook Lu Siew here on Friday.
Hajiji also said that he served under Joseph as the Assistant Minister of Industrial Development in 1994.
“I learned a lot and got a lot of insights from him,” said Hajiji.
He added that among the memorable experiences he had working with the deceased was when he was brought for overseas trips to South Africa, Namibia and Mauritius.
“He taught me a lot,” he said. Hajiji was greeted by Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup when he arrived at the Fook Lu Siew Funeral Parlour.
Hajiji was accompanied by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manju and Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.
He also met with the deceased’s family members, including Joseph’s wife, Puan Sri Melinda Mak Soak Fong.
Also present their last respects were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam and State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya, as well as Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof reminisced that their struggles to strengthen national unity and uphold the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) remains as one of the enduring memories of the late Joseph.
Fadillah expressed a deep sense of loss for a close friend with Joseph’s passing and extended his deepest condolences to his family.
“Joseph contributed significantly to the development of Sabah and Malaysia. My experience with him in the cabinet was one of gentleness and a strong focus on work ... I have many fond memories of him. I have lost a good friend and a very good leader. I hope and pray for all the best for him and his family,” he said.
Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, was speaking to reporters after paying his last respects.
Joseph, 79, the founder of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN), Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
The wake service for the former Sabah Deputy Chief Minister will be held for four days, starting on Friday, before the funeral service on Tuesday (April 23).
Meanwhile, Arthur’s office, in a statement, said that the late Joseph’s remains were placed on Level 2, Wisma Fook Lu Siew, here so that the public could visit and pay their final respects.
“Family members, relatives, and close friends are welcome to pay their final respects, from 9 am until 8 pm,” read the statement.
The late Joseph’s remains were flown back to Sabah on Thursday night, and arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, here at 11.20pm.