Tuanku Abdul Halim (right) presents the instrument of appointment to Taib at Istana Negara. — Bernama picture
KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, yesterday presented Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud with the instrument of appointment as the new Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, at the Istana Negara here.
The ceremony took place at the Small Throne Hall and was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the new Chief Minister, Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Taib, who stepped down as the chief minister effective yesterday after almost 33 years in office, takes office today as the seventh Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, succeeding Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng whose term of office ended yesterday.
He was the fourth chief minister of Sarawak, having assumed the office on March 26, 1981, by succeeding his uncle Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub.
The eldest of 10 siblings was born on May 21, 1936, to Mahmud Abang Yahya and Hamidah Ya’kub.
Taib worked as a judge’s associate in the Supreme Court of South Australia after having completed his law studies at the University of Adelaide, before returning to Sarawak.
He entered the world of politics in 1963 when he joined the Sarawak Legislative Council and served until 1966.
He was appointed Sarawak Minister for Communication and Works in 1963 and served in that capacity until 1966 when he was appointed as the Minister of Development and Forestry.
Taib entered politics at the federal level after he won the parliamentary seat of Samarahan in the 1970 parliamentary election. — Bernama