KUCHING: Catholic Archbishop of Kuching, Fr Simon Poh shared a touching story about the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib who was the former Head of State and former chief minister for over three decades.
“I would like to share a human side of the late Tun Pehin during the death of one of my priests, the late Rev Fr. Datuk Lawrence Chua in Oct 2021.
“Both of them grew up as classmates in Mukah and came to study in St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Kuching and they have remained lifelong friends.
“I was told that Tun Pehin was shedding tears of sadness when he wrote a personal handwritten note of condolence for Fr. Chua, addressed to me. Now in the late Tun Pehin’s own words, we also pray: “Saya berdoa semoga Tuhan menanugerahkan syurga yang dikhaskan untuk umatnya yang baik dan taat.” (I pray that God would bestow a heavenly abode for His kind and faithful people),” Poh said in a statement today (Feb 21).
In addition, on behalf of the Catholic Church in Sarawak, Poh with Bishop Joseph Hii of Sibu, Bishop Richard Ng of Miri and the religious Sisters (nuns) of Sarawak, extended their deepest condolence to the Sarawak government and family of the late Tun Taib.
“We are grateful to Tun Pehin’s vision for the modernisation of Sarawak and especially for ensuring religious harmony and freedom in this land that have greatly contributed to the current environment of mutual respect and acceptance among all the races, cultures and religions in our beloved Sarawak,” Poh shared.
Taib, 87, passed away at 4.40 am at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur today.
On Thursday, Taib’s remains will be brought to the new State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Building, where the public can pay their final respect from 8 am to 12 pm.
