Speaking to the Malaysian media here today, Ahmad Zahid, currently in Japan for a seven-day working visit since Feb 1, said the former Chief Minister of Sarawak had made huge contributions at the national and state level.
"On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to express my condolences to the family of Tun Pehin Sri Hj Abdul Taib Mahmud, former Governor and Chief Minister of Sarawak.
"Indeed, his passing is a great loss to the country, especially to the people of Sarawak because of the great contribution he made at the national level, what more at the Sarawak level, and he was a progressive and dynamic leader," he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said Abdul Taib was also a leader who gave many new ideas for the benefit of the people.
"I call on all Malaysians to pray that the deceased be blessed by Allah SWT," he said.
Abdul Taib, 87, died at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur at 4.40 am today.
His remains were brought to the National Morning for the funeral rites, including prayer, before being brought back to Kuching for burial.
-- BERNAMA
