The passing of former Sarawak governor, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, is a great loss for the state. Recognized as the Father of Modern Sarawak, he served as the chief minister for 33 years, contributing significantly to the state’s development and modernization. His departure truly leaves an indelible mark on the state’s history, and his legacy will be remembered for generations.
Here are key highlights of his contributions to Sarawak:
Born in Miri, Taib Mahmud entered Sarawak’s political scene at a young age. Early in his political career, he was appointed as the Sarawak Minister of Communications and Public Works in the inaugural state cabinet led by Chief Minister Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan in 1963.
He handled various responsibilities during his tenure
Taib demonstrated strong leadership skills, especially in addressing challenges during a period marked by communist threats and confrontations from neighbouring Indonesia. His political career shifted to the federal level after he won the Samarahan parliamentary seat in 1969.
He held various key ministerial positions, serving as the Minister of Primary Industries, Minister of General Planning and Socio-Economic Research, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Federal Territories.
In a notable move, Taib stepped down as the Minister of Federal Territories to contest and subsequently win the Sebandi state by-election – which he won uncontested. He was then appointed Sarawak Land and Mineral Minister before succeeding Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub as the fourth Sarawak chief minister.
He carried out significant projects that brought development to the state
He introduced various development initiatives to modernize Sarawak, particularly in underdeveloped areas. His contributions included creating job opportunities through the establishment of Industrial Zones in Samajaya, Demak Laut, Samalaju, and Tanjung Manis.
Additionally, he initiated the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) to promote the development of renewable energy sources, such as the Batang Ai dam, Sarawak’s first hydroelectric plant with a capacity of 108 megawatts (MW).
He established several universities in Sarawak, including the first public university, UNIMAS
Taib’s efforts to modernize Sarawak extended to establishing institutions like Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS), the Sarawak campus of Universiti Teknologi Swinburne and Curtin University, and Sarawak’s first public university, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UniMAS).
After serving as the chief minister for 33 years, he resigned and assumed the position of the seventh Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak. He held this position for almost 10 years until Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar succeeded him on January 29.
As the people of Sarawak and the whole nation mourn the passing of Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, let us also celebrate the memories and achievements that will forever be a part of Sarawak’s narrative.
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