KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia), Feb 21 (Bernama) — Former Governor and Chief Minister of state of Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud, 87, died in a hospital in Kuala Lumpur early today.
The matter was confirmed by Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Private Secretary to Taib’s daughter and Deputy Economy Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib also confimed the news.
“Hanifah Hajar’s beloved father, Tun Abdul Taib, returned to his Creator at about 4.40 am today. The remains will be taken to the National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, and then brought back to Kuching, Sarawak,” Nurr Shaffique Abdul Karim said in a post on Hanifah Hajar’s social media site this morning.
Born on May 21, 1936, Abdul Taib helmed the state as Chief Minister for 33 years.
He was appointed as the seventh Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak, replacing Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, on March 1, 2014.
After almost 10 years in the position, Abdul Taib was replaced by Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who was sworn in as Governor on Jan 29.
— BERNAMA
