BY JAMES WONG, NURA V LORNA, NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY
KUCHING: Serian Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem expressed sorrow over the passing of former Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, describing it as “the saddest day for Sarawak”.
“He was our longest serving former chief minister and was subsequently appointed as governor of Sarawak.
“This (his passing) was one of the saddest days for me, and the saddest for Sarawak,” he said when met by the media after paying his last respects to Taib at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today.
He said the late Taib had contributed immensely towards the progress of Sarawak.
“He has done so much for Sarawak, too many to think. he’s the father for nearly everything. Sarawak is what it is today because of him,” he added.
The late Taib was appointed as head of state succeeding Tun Pehin Sri Abang Salahuddin Abang Barieng on March 1, 2014.
Prior to that, he was Sarawak’s longest serving chief minister, being in office for a period of 33 years from March 26, 1981.
Even after retiring from active politics, Taib remained dedicated to fostering unity among Sarawakians, underscoring its importance alongside the state’s ongoing development efforts.
