JAKARTA: The late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud's legacy extends far beyond his tenure as the state's leader, said political analyst Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir.
The former Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri's death, said Jeniri, had left a profound impact on Sarawak and its people, adding that he had left behind numerous contributions to the development of the state.
"In the 60 years of his political career, he made it clear that his principles for the state were based on change, opportunity, mobility, and equality.
"His focus was to stabilise Sarawak politics, and he introduced transformation in the aspects of economy, finance, education, social, agriculture, industries, and others.
"During his tenure, he managed to reduce the poverty rate from 70 per cent to over 20 per cent, and his policies united the 27 races in the state.
"Taib deserves the title the Father of Development, but also the Father of Modern Sarawak, and I dare say that he is the one and only person who is able to achieve such remarkable feats," he said when met today.
Jeniri also said Taib had successfully nurtured high-calibre leaders for Sarawak, and increased the state's income, with reserves reaching RM30 billion.
"All the monuments, buildings, and roads in the state are because of Taib's dynamic, strategic and futuristic leadership."
Taib died in Kuala Lumpur earlier today. He was 87.
Sarawak's longest-serving chief minister took his last breath at 4.28am at the Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
The state had declared two days of mourning - today and tomorrow, in respect of his death.
Taib's remains would be flown back to Kuching from Kuala Lumpur and would be brought directly to his residence in Demak Jaya, at Jalan Bako.
Tomorrow, Taib's body would be taken to the State Legislative Assembly for the public to pay their last respects from 8am to noon, then brought to Demak mosque for prayers before the burial ceremony.