KUCHING, March 25 — Tan Sri Abdul Mahmud Taib (picture)marks his 30th anniversary as Chief Minister tomorrow still adding to his legacy of steady economic progress and political stability.
Taib became the fourth Chief Minister of the largest state in Malaysia on March 26, 1981, succeeding his uncle, Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub, and becoming president of Parti Bumiputera Pesaka, the backbone of the state Barisan Nasional.
The University of Adelaide law graduate wasted no time in bringing the development that led to him being hailed in economic and social circles as “the architect of modern Sarawak.”
Taib, known to have walked barefoot among people of various races in the villages he has visited, has always insisted on development to benefit all.
His achievements have not only been confined to the physical such as providing modern facilities and amenities.
The Miri-born Taib has always been concerned with fostering harmony in Sarawak’s multi-racial, multi-religious society.
Taib, who became a state assemblyman in 1963, was a federal minister before returning to Sarawak.
Now, Taib, who wants to ensure a smooth transition to make possible continued progress for the state, is leading what has been described a second wave of development.
This is to make Sarawak an advanced state by 2020, mainly through the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, which is to accelerate economic development and improve the quality of life of the people.
The Sarawak economy is expected to expand five per cent this year, the growth supported by the Score programme.
Since the launch of Score in 2008, nine foreign companies have confirmed investments amounting to some RM20 billion.
As Taib himself has said, the time will come when he will have to leave. And when he does bow out, all would have been done to ensure a smooth change in leadership.
Even so, Taib will be a tough act to follow. — Bernama
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