PETALING JAYA: Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud has made his first public appearance after over two months of rest following medical treatment abroad.
Accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, Abdul Taib was seen attending the Maulidur Rasul celebrations at Padang Merdeka in Kuching, Sarawak on Thursday (Sept 28).
The seventh head of state’s arrival at around 8.30am received a warm welcome from Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and other members of the state government.
Previously in June, Abdul Taib was widely reported to have been receiving treatment overseas due to an undisclosed condition.
His long absence resulted in constant viral speculation online over his state of health, of which members of the state government and Astana continuously refuted over the past two months.
The rumours were finally put to rest when Abdul Taib was reported to have returned to the state on September 16, by Sinar Harian.
His first public event in over two months saw the participation of over 10,991 participants representing 248 contingents from various government agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs) and schools around the state, despite torrential rain on Friday.
In a keynote address, Abang Johari said that the Sarawak royal administration had adopted and emulated the moral virtues of Prophet Muhammad SAW as an example to bring prosperity to Sarawak’s diverse community.
“The Kingdom of Sarawak will always ensure that justice is upheld among the people regardless of race and religion in order to develop a safe and prosperous country.
“This is in line with the practice of religious tolerance that was demonstrated clearly and clearly by Prophet Muhammad when he agreed to sign an agreement with the monks at the St Catherine's monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai in 627 AD.
"In fact, this agreement was recorded in world history as a treaty document that reflects the nobility of his character in relations between religions," he said.
