Taib browsing through the new book as Adenan (right), Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang (third left) and others looks on.
KUCHING: Sarawak is what it is today due to two principal elements – the state leaders are united and the people are hard working.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud recalled that in the old days, half of the people in the state were poor.
“I don’t dare to say that what was achieved by Sarawak is due to the hard work of myself alone, during my tenure as the chief minister. Instead, it was a wish granted by God to the people and state leaders, who were sincere in their work,” he said at ‘Malam Menjunjung Kasih’.
The social event, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Saturday, was held in conjunction with Taib’s 78th birthday celebration.
Taib said the people in the state were united and were always willing to share opportunities with others.
“Right from the days of Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan, Dato Penghulu Tawi Sli and Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub to my era, the concern has always been the people,”
“It is thus my hope and belief that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will shine and do well.”
He appealed to the people not to compare Adenan to him as such a comparison would be unfair due to his (Taib) long tenure as the state’s chief executive.
“Adenan and his team will be able to bring Sarawak to be among the richest state, and his era is where Sarawak will rise to greater heights.”
Adenan, in his speech, said: “Taib is always an inspiration, and Sarawak is lucky to have him serving the state and country.
“His stewardship brought Sarawak to where it should have been. Taib is truly a man of all seasons. Talking to him itself is a lesson as you will learn something from him.”
Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, the minister-in-charge of the birthday celebration, said Taib’s era as the chief minister started with the politics of development.
“He varies the basis of economy from mere agriculture to industry, and adding value to the resources, especially in the wood working industry. At the same time, he got the state involved in the electronic manufacturing industry,” said Abang Johari.
He recalled that Taib also drew the state development policy by highlighting education and promoting capable human capital.
During the gathering, Taib launched the book ‘The Visionary Builder of Modern Sarawak’.
The book tells stories about Taib’s journey as the chief minister of Sarawak.