KUCHING: “I have lost a great leader and a true friend,” lamented former state Attorney-General Datuk Seri JC Fong following the passing of Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
In expressing his sadness, Fong recalled how Taib provided him with the opportunity to serve in the public service.
“It was an honour and privilege to serve him and the state government. He will be dearly missed by the people of Sarawak,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Reflecting on when Fong was a lawyer in private practice, he said that was when he first worked with Taib in 1983.
“Taib has a good knowledge of the law and wants the law to facilitate and not impede development. He wanted laws to be obeyed and enforced firmly but fairly,” he said.
Fong also said Taib will be gratefully remembered as ‘The Father of Modern Sarawak’.
“Taib started the economic, social and political transformation of Sarawak with his ‘politics of development’ and groomed successors.
“This includes grooming the present Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to continue Sarawak’s transformation journey and the preservation of racial and religious harmony,” he said.
Taib, passed away at approximately 4.40 am at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur today.
