Taib Mahmud, looking back at senior leader’s checkered past

Abdul Taib Mahmud (May 21, 1936 – Feb 21, 2024) would have served 10 years as Sarawak’s governor next week, had he managed to remain in office for his full term instead of stepping aside for Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to take over last month.

And he passed away yesterday due to ill health.

Nevertheless, the elder politician’s long career has undeniably made its mark in the Land of the Hornbills.

Born in Miri as the eldest of 10 siblings, Taib had wanted to become a doctor but his influential uncle Abdul Rahman Ya'kub, who would later become chief minister, convinced him to study law instead.

“With law degrees, it was my view that both Taib and I would be better able to serve the people of Sarawak,” the late Rahman was quoted as saying by The Star during his 80th birthday celebration in 2008.

Upon returning from Australia after his studies and...