MIRI: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said even though he has retired as chief minister, he will never ‘retire’ from contributing ideas and services to non-political bodies and organisations.
Abdillah (right) receiving a mock cheque for RM50,000 from Naim senior general manager Charles Arthur Bateman, witnessed by Taib (centre).
He said this was because he did not want these bodies in the state, particularly Muslims organisations, to be involved in politics, as this would only bring damage to them.
“I will not retire from the role of giving advice and support to non-political bodies and organisations,” he said.
Taib was speaking at an Aidilfitri gathering organised by Miri Malay Charitable Trust Board (LAKMM) at a hotel here on Wednesday night. In this context, he urged all Muslims organisations in the state including LAKMM to focus on taking care of their members’ welfare as outlined in the objectives of the organisations when they were set up.
He praised the LAKMM for raising funds and doing a good job in taking care of all of its assets, saying such fine act should be a good example for other organisations to follow.
He also said the trust board was among organisations in Sarawak that was most successful in handling their assets well.
“Now, this trust board has a lot of assets compared to other organisations. I want this organisation to be continuously as successful as it is today,” he said. Earlier, the board’s chairman Datuk Abdillah Abdul Rahim said the board would increase its business activities in order to earn more revenue.
At the function, the board received a contribution of RM50,000 each from Naim Trust Fund and Boulevard Group of Companies.
The dinner was attended by over 500 members and guests.
Among those present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Asfia Awang
Nassar and wife Datin Fatimah Iskandar as well as state cabinet members.