Taib Mahmud says he is stepping down
By The Malaysian Insider
SERIAN, March 19 — Malaysia’s longest serving chief minister Tan Sri Taib Mahmud has confirmed today that he will be resigning after the state polls.
He said he will first lead the Barisan Nasional (BN) to victory and then set forth a smooth power transition.
Taib has ruled the Hornbill State since 1981.
Taib, who is also state BN chairman, told residents in a joint function with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that the upcoming 10th state election is the last he will lead, after which a new leadership will take over Sarawak.
“I will lead this election to ensure that it is smooth and to ensure new blood will emerge to lead. I have served for a long time. I am old, not like Najib or Muhyiddin.
“I may die but I do not want to see my ambitions to see a developed Sarawak die,” Taib said, without hinting who might succeed him.
Najib confirmed that he has talked to Taib on power transition. He however maintains that the long-serving leader will not be pressed to a quit timetable.
In his speech after, Najib said he welcomed the announcement and described the smooth transition process as a hallmark of BN rule.
“I am reminded of the time when I took over from Pak Lah. Both former prime ministers became strong supporters of my transition,” he said.
Najib said this was unlike countries like Egypt and Tunisia where they still lacked direction even after their respective leaders had been ousted.
Also present at Serian, a Bidayuh-majority town 60km from Kuching, was Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Taib shared that he intends to groom a new team to replace him after BN retains power in Sarawak.
SERIAN, March 19 — Malaysia’s longest serving chief minister Tan Sri Taib Mahmud has confirmed today that he will be resigning after the state polls.
He said he will first lead the Barisan Nasional (BN) to victory and then set forth a smooth power transition.
Taib has ruled the Hornbill State since 1981.
Taib, who is also state BN chairman, told residents in a joint function with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that the upcoming 10th state election is the last he will lead, after which a new leadership will take over Sarawak.
“I will lead this election to ensure that it is smooth and to ensure new blood will emerge to lead. I have served for a long time. I am old, not like Najib or Muhyiddin.
“I may die but I do not want to see my ambitions to see a developed Sarawak die,” Taib said, without hinting who might succeed him.
Najib confirmed that he has talked to Taib on power transition. He however maintains that the long-serving leader will not be pressed to a quit timetable.
In his speech after, Najib said he welcomed the announcement and described the smooth transition process as a hallmark of BN rule.
“I am reminded of the time when I took over from Pak Lah. Both former prime ministers became strong supporters of my transition,” he said.
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