DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described former Sarawak governor, the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, as a progressive and dynamic leader.
Speaking to the Malaysian media in Osaka Wednesday, Ahmad Zahid, currently in Japan for a seven-day working visit since Feb 1, said the former chief minister of Sarawak had made huge contributions at the national and state levels.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to express my condolences to the family of Tun Pehin Sri Hj Abdul Taib Mahmud, former governor and chief minister of Sarawak.
“Indeed, his passing is a great loss to the country, especially to the people of Sarawak, because of the great contribution he made at the national level, what more at the Sarawak level, and he was a progressive and dynamic leader,” Ahmad Zahid said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the minister of Rural and Regional Development, said Abdul Taib was also a leader who gave many new ideas for the benefit of the people.
“I call on all Malaysians to pray that the deceased be blessed by Allah SWT,” he said.
Abdul Taib, 87, died at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur at 4.40am on Wednesday.
His remains were brought to the National Mosque for the funeral rites, including prayers before being sent back to Kuching, Sarawak for burial.
