Taib kept Umno from establishing itself in Sarawak, says GPS rep

Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was the longest-serving head of a state government in Malaysia, died at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 21. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The late Abdul Taib Mahmud was a master politician who managed to keep Barisan Nasional’s West Malaysian components from establishing a foothold in Sarawak, says an assemblyman.

Satok assemblyman Ibrahim Baki said that Taib, during his 33-year tenure as chief minister, sought to ensure Sarawak remained under the stewardship of Sarawakians.

The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) representative added that Taib was a “true blue Sarawakian” who successfully navigated the relationship with the Umno-led BN, Dayak Daily reported.

“He successfully navigated and convinced BN components from West Malaysia not to set up branches in Sarawak, when certain sections of Umno wished to set foot in Sarawak.

“Had it materialised, Umno’s entry into Sarawak would have changed our political landscape,” he said in debating the motion of appreciation for Taib at the state assembly.

Meanwhile, the legislative assembly’s deputy speaker Idris Buang slammed DAP’s two assemblymen for refusing to support the motion, telling the opposition representatives to “respect even your enemy”.

Idris broke protocol by interjecting during the debate to hit out at Sarawak DAP’s Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen and Pending assemblyman Violet Yong.

“If there’s any rule that I’m breaching under the Standing Orders, I’ll breach it just for this particular moment. I cannot help but speak up,” he said, before recounting Taib’s contributions to Sarawak.

He then urged all Sarawakians to be grateful for what Taib had done for the Bornean state, saying those with the “slightest sense of gratitude” would thank the ex-chief minister.

“This is what we should do as Sarawakians, who benefitted from his love for Sarawak.”

Chong had earlier said that he and Yong would not support the motion or take part in its debate.

The Sarawak DAP chief said Taib may have contributed to Sarawak’s development but there was “a cloud of suspicion over his administration when he was the chief minister”.

Taib died at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 21. He was the longest-serving head of a state government in Malaysia, leading the Sarawak government for 33 years from 1981 to 2014.

He had faced allegations of bribery and abuse of power, although authorities said they were unable to act on these due to lack of proof.