KUCHING : Sarawak Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg, led his cabinet and other state dignitaries to meet the arrival of the body of former Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud on arrival at the Kuching International Airport.
Taib, who died at a private hospital In Kuala Lumpur at 4.40am today, was flown home in a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) C-130 transport plane.
The body was accompanied by members of his family, including his youngest daughter, Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib-Alsree.
The plane touched down at 4.25pm and as soon as the plane rolled to a stop at the VIP bay, Abang Johari, his three deputies Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and other members of his cabinet walked to the rear ramp of the plane where Abang Johari was seen greeted by Hanifah.
The casket was transferred from the plane to the hearse by six military personnel drawn from the three branches of the armed forces and two police officers.
One hundred and six officers and men from the 11th Royal Malay Regiment made up the honour-guard to give the final salute before the body was driven off to Taib's home in Demak Jaya.
Taib will lie in state at the State Legislative Assembly building tomorrow for the public to pay their last respect before he is taken for finals prayers at the Demak mosque and burial at the family plot.
Earlier in a media conference, Abang Johari described Taib as his mentor.
"He's an institution."
Abang Johari's close association with Taib came in 1982 when he was appointed as Taib's principal political secretary.
A year earliers, Abang Johari was elected as the Satok assemblyman.
He said Taib was a man who was "not stingy with his experience."
"I learnt a lot from him and what I've learnt I'm putting into practice now."
Tributes are also pouring for the man many considered as the father of Sarawak's development.
Deputy Premier Uggah in his tribute described Taib as "truly a great master planner and architect of a modern, united and progressive Sarawak."
"He indeed played a very important role in governing and in driving the success of our state," he added.
Uggah said in politics, Taib succeeded in leading Sarawak through politics of "mutual respect, collaboration and co-operation among the multiracial and multireligious people of Sarawak."
"His vision, will power and total commitment to modernise and develop Sarawak into what it is today will not be forgotten," he added.
President of the opposition Parti Bumi Kenyalang, Voon Lee Shan, said Taib will be remembered either as a political foe or a friend.
"He was seen as a shrewd master tactician in politics and was able to tame his political foes. He will be remembered to bring those who opposed him to work with him and be in his government," the pro-independence politician said.
Alluding to the failed attempt to remove him as chief minister in 1987, a political event often referred to as the Ming Court Affair, Voon said the attempted coup helped him to identify who were his foes and friends whom he could work with.
Voon said Taib's famous 'politics of development' policy had allowed him to implement major projects that brought development to Sarawak.
But despite the policy, Voon said Sarawak still remains a backward state in Malaysia.
"His reign also with mixed feelings with unhappiness by Dayaks who lost their native customary rights (NCR) land."
State Pakatan Harapan chief and Stampin MP, Chong Chieng Jen also expressed his gratitude to Taib's contribution to the development of the state.
Chong said though DAP may disagree on certain policies during his tenure as the chief minister, overall "he has contributed tremendously to the development of the state, laying a strong foundation for the present government to take the state to another level."
Taib died at 4.28am today at the Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur Hospital (CVSKL).