Sulaiman Taib: When will the prodigal son return?

Taib Mahmud’s glittering wedding reception was full of pomp and pageantry when 500 guests joined the impressive list of ‘who’s who’ in Kuching’s Dewan Santapan.

This event is as grand as was described in several Malaysian papers, but is there a measure of dissension in this rich and powerful family?

One name stands out only because of its conspicuous absence in the list of those who were present. That person is Taib’s younger son - Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib.

Have father and son had a falling out because of the son’s decadent lifestyle? Is Sulaiman being treated for a lifestyle related disease as was allegedly reported by Sarawak Report?

Sulaiman, 43, the famously fun-loving son was once the most well-known and high profile member of Taib’s children. He joined the board of the family-controlled listed flagship Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd in the mid-90s and held the position of group chairman from 2002 and 2006.

In May 2003, Sulaiman became chairman of RHB Banking Group and was the youngest person to become chairman of a local bank.

Sulaiman’s lacklustre performance as executive chair of RHB Bank, his inability to attend board meetings and his attempt to change the name ‘RHB bank’ to ‘CMS Bank’ made him unpopular. He was eventually removed as chairperson by Bank Negara, an unprecedented move in Malaysian banking.

One political observer noted, “How can he run a state if he could not even run a bank?”

Three years later, he resigned from his positions in RHB group, about the same time the Employees Provident Fund made a bid to take over UBG’s stake in RHB.

Recently, he shocked everyone when he quit from the Cabinet as Deputy Tourism Minister and said that he was upset over his mother’s death the year before. There were reports that Sulaiman under-performed in this rôle, too.

It is also known that Sulaiman's temper, alleged domestic violence including assaulting his mistress, prompted a news blackout in Sarawak, when a police report was made against him in Kuala Lumpur.

In Taib’s company, Monarda Sdn. Bhd., the shares are held by three of his four children, Jamilah, Mahmud and Hanifah. The fourth family shareholder is his daughter-in-law Anisa and not her husband, Sulaiman.

Sulaiman’s decision not to seek re-election as the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Youth vice-president also added to the confusion.

So, is Sulaiman being groomed to take over from Taib or has his father identified another individual? Will Sulaiman contest a state seat in the upcoming State Assembly elections?

Surely the family has a duty to explain to the constituents of Kota Samarahan the presence, whereabouts and well-being of their elected representative to the Federal Parliament. But no one is talking.

And so, the guessing game continues but Sulaiman’s absence at his own father’s wedding reception will have caused tongues to wag even more.

Distinguished guests at Taib’s deception included Head of State Abang Muhamad Salahuddin and Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Taib arrived with his bride Ragad Waleed al-Kurdi looking virginal in a white wedding gown and sporting what looked like the same tiara, necklace and ring from the akad nikah ceremony.

The newly-weds were welcomed on behalf of the state, by Taib's deputy chief ministers George Chan and Alfred Jabu Numpang, whilst Taib’s daughters Jamilah Hamidah and Hanifah Hajar, represented his family.

Najib and Rosmah Mansor arrived next to be followed by Salahuddin and his wife, Norkiah.

Taib’s eldest son Mahmud Abu Bekir, made a wedding speech which began with birthday wishes for Ragad, as that day was also her 29th birthday.

The mystery surrounding Sulaiman continues. Has Taib Mahmud disowned Sulaiman? Or does Sulaiman disapprove of his father's marriage and kept away?