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[UPDATED] Despite past controversies, Annuar Musa describes friend of 40 years Taib Mahmud as ‘visionary leader’ | Scoop
Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic) has said Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud had been a close friend to him for over 40 years, and the late leader always had a strong desire to build the nation, especially Sarawak. – Tan Sri Annuar Musa Facebook pic, February 21, 2024
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[UPDATED] Despite past controversies, Annuar Musa describes friend of 40 years Taib Mahmud as ‘visionary leader’

Former minister highlights how speaking to former Sarawak governor was ‘like speaking to a town planner’ as late leader always talked of transformation

Main Author Image
Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
Updated
12:15 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has lost an instrumental contributor to its formative history, said former communication and multimedia minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa on the death of Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Annuar, who is also a PAS central committee member, reminisced how Taib had been a close friend and always had a strong desire to better the nation, especially on the development of his home state of Sarawak.

“We’ve been close friends for about 40 years, since his time as Sarawak chief minister,” Annuar said when met after paying his final respects to Taib at the National Mosque here.

“Whenever I spoke with him, it was like speaking to a town planner (as) he was always talking about transforming Kuching, including by cleaning up the Sarawak River and establishing a riverfront.

“Looking at how such concepts are a reality today really highlights how (Taib) was a visionary leader.”

Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s body arrives at the National Mosque around 9am, accompanied by an entourage of police and army personnel. His casket, draped in the Jalur Gemilang, is placed inside the mosque while prayers are held. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, February 21, 2024

A visibly emotional Annuar also said Taib, the longest-serving head of state, was the architect of Sarawak’s modernisation with a high level of commitment to improving the Borneon state.

“He always gave his best for the state, up until the very end. He managed to unite Sarawak since he was a leader accepted by people of all ethnicities,” Annuar said.

He also recalled how two months ago, Taib had invited him to take a buggy ride to visit the graves of his late wife Laila Taib and brother Datuk Mohd Arip Mahmud.

“I still remember how (Taib) drove the buggy himself. Our families are close as well, since his younger brother (Arip) was my classmate in primary school.

“I extend my condolences to his (Taib’s) family and the nation.”

Taib died at 4.40am today at the KL Cardiac Vascular Sentral KL hospital where he has been receiving treatment for the past week.

Although he has been credited as Sarawak’s “Bapa Pemodenan”, much of his rule as chief minister – from March 26, 1981 to February 28, 2014 – was linked to the state’s massive deforestation and accusations of enriching himself and his family members.

Even his recent health had been subject to much drama, especially linked to his wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, who was accused of absconding her husband from hospital.

Taib’s body is being taken to Subang Airport and flown back to Sarawak via a military plane.

He will lie in state at the Sarawak state assembly building in Kuching until tomorrow. His final funeral rites will take place at the Demak Jaya Mosque before his burial and prayers will take place in Demak Muslim cemetery, near Taib’s official residence. – February 21, 2024

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