KUALA LUMPUR: Former Sarawak governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud's passing is a great loss for the nation, the country's two deputy prime ministers said today.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said Taib was a statesman who had greatly contributed to the development of Sarawak.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, in a Facebook post said Taib was an approachable person who consistently engage with the community.
"(His passing) is a great loss for the people of Malaysia, especially the people of Sarawak as he played a very important role in governing and driving the success of Sarawak until now," Zahid said.
Fadillah, himself a Sarawakian, said he was saddened by Taib's passing and expressed condolences to his family.
"His death is a great loss not only for Sarawak but also for the country. The deceased had also served as a minister at the federal level before returning to Sarawak.
"Ya Allah, the Almighty... forgive him," said the energy transition and water transformation minister.
Taib died early this morning in Kuala Lumpur. He was 87.
