Taib Mahmud: The Legacy of Sarawak’s Strongman

Former Sarawak governor Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud has passed away. He was 87 years old when he died in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Taib Mahmud served as the Chief Minister of Sarawak from March 1981 to February 2014 – that’s 33 years, making him the longest-serving CM in Malaysian history. 

He also served as the 7th Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak from March 2014 to January 2024. Taib Mahmud was an incredibly important figure in Sarawak and Malaysian politics. But how will history remember him? And how will Sarawak emerge from his shadow? 

In this episode, we discuss the legacy of Sarawak’s strongman, and next week, we take a look at the future of the East Malaysian state. We’re joined by Dr James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania.

Image Credit: Wikimedia / Creative Commons