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==Controversies==
==Controversies==
{{Disputed-section|date=6 April 2011}}
===Logging industry===
===Logging industry===
The involvement of Taib and his family in logging industry is specifically mentioned in a report published by [[Forests Monitor]]. According to the report, the chief minister reserves his right to revoke timber licenses while no legal challenge is possible against the chief minister. This is to ensure that the anyone with logging interest is loyal to the chief minister. The report also notes that in general, mutually beneficial relationship between political elites and logging companies often results in corruption, bribery, and transfer pricing, where the financial details of transnational logging companies, including Malaysian ones, are difficult to track.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forestsmonitor.org/en/reports/550066/550073|title= Politics, Law and the Logging Industry|last= |date= |work=[[Forests Monitor]]|accessdate=5 July 2010}}</ref> Based on a book written by Michael Lewin Ross, the political insecurity of Taib Mahmud from 1986 to 1991 has enabled him to accelerate the pace of logging in Sarawak. Taib is reported to have used timber concessions for personal and family enrichment.<ref name=ross/>
The involvement of Taib and his family in logging industry is specifically mentioned in a report published by [[Forests Monitor]]. According to the report, the chief minister reserves his right to revoke timber licenses while no legal challenge is possible against the chief minister. This is to ensure that the anyone with logging interest is loyal to the chief minister. The report also notes that in general, mutually beneficial relationship between political elites and logging companies often results in corruption, bribery, and transfer pricing, where the financial details of transnational logging companies, including Malaysian ones, are difficult to track.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forestsmonitor.org/en/reports/550066/550073|title= Politics, Law and the Logging Industry|last= |date= |work=[[Forests Monitor]]|accessdate=5 July 2010}}</ref> Based on a book written by Michael Lewin Ross, the political insecurity of Taib Mahmud from 1986 to 1991 has enabled him to accelerate the pace of logging in Sarawak. Taib is reported to have used timber concessions for personal and family enrichment.<ref name=ross/>

Revision as of 12:59, 6 April 2011

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Mahmud is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Abdul Taib.
Yang Amat Berhormat Pehin Sri
Abdul Taib Mahmud

MLA, LLB (Adelaide Uni), Hc (Adelaide Uni), D.Tech (Curtin), SBS, DP , PGDK , PSM, KTWE (Thailand), KEPN (Indonesia), SPMB (Brunei), KOU (Korea), AO (Australia)
Abdul Taib Mahmud in 2005
4th Chief Minister of Sarawak
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 March 1981
GovernorAbang Muhammad Salahuddin
DeputyGeorge Chan Hong Nam
Alfred Jabu Numpang
Preceded byAbdul Rahman Ya'kub
President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu
Incumbent
Assumed office
1981
Preceded byJugah Barieng
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Kota Samarahan
In office
1970–2008
Succeeded bySulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib
Member of the Sarawak State Assembly
for Balingian
Incumbent
Assumed office
2001
Personal details
Born (1936-05-21) 21 May 1936 (age 88)
Miri, Kingdom of Sarawak
Political partyParti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) part of Barisan Nasional
Spouse(s)Laila Taib (Deceased)
Ragad Waleed Alkurdi Taib (present)
ChildrenJamilah Hamidah Taib
Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib
Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib
Hanifah Hajar Taib
Residence(s)Demak Jaya, Jalan Bako, Kuching, Sarawak
OccupationMalaysia State assemblyman
Websitehttp://chiefministertaib.sarawak.gov.my/

Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud (born 21 May 1936 in Miri, Sarawak) is the fourth and current Chief Minister of Sarawak.[1] He is also the state Financial Minister and Planning and Resource Management Minister. Taib is the President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which is part of the Barisan Nasional coalition.[2] He is of ethnic Melanau descent.

Taib was four years old when the Second World War broke out. Soon after Japanese troops landed in Miri in December 1941, Taib’s father decided to move to his ancestral home in Mukah, where he felt his young family would be safe.[3]

Taib is informally known as Pak Uban, which translates into "white-haired uncle". Among Chinese speaking communities he is known as Bai Mao (白毛) which means "white hair".[4] Another informal name for him, in reference to the British Brooke family that ruled Sarawak as White Rajahs in the 19th and early 20th century, is the "last white rajah" or "white-haired rajah".[5] Holding the post of the Chief Minister of Sarawak since 1981, he is the longest serving Chief Minister in Malaysia. He assumed the Chief Minister post at the age of 45.[6][7] Being a member of the Malaysian Parliament for 38 years, Taib is also the second longest-serving parliamentarian in Malaysia after Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.[8][9]. Taib and his wider family are regularly accused of corruption and personally benefiting from Sarawak's natural and economic resources.[10]

Family

Taib's son Sulaiman Abdul Rahman is married to Anisa, who is the daughter of Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.[11]

His daughter, Jamilah Taib and husband Sean Murray are involved in property development in Ottawa, Canada.[12]

Taib's mother, Hajah Hamidah Yakub died in Normah Specialist Medical Centre when Taib Mahmud was hospitalised in Singapore and underwent surgery to remove a suspected cancerous lump in his colon on 11 January 2006.[13]

On 29 April 2009, Taib's wife Laila died of cancer. She was buried at the Demak Jaya cemetery in Kuching the following day.[14]

On 3 June 2009, Taib's four-year-old granddaughter, Celestia Lulua Mahmud Abu Bekir, died two days after slipping into the swimming pool at her home at Duta Nusantara Condominium in Kuala Lumpur. Celestia was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital after the accident. She was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery.[15]

On 18 December 2010, he reportedly married for the second time to a Lebanese women in her early 30s, according to a daily Utusan Malaysia; however the wedding ceremony was held in private, attended only by his family members and 200 invited guests.[16] On 8 January 2011, he was seen together with his newly-wed wife, Puan Sri Ragad Waleed Alkurdi attending a wedding reception of a former MP in Kuala Lumpur. Both of them are expected to hold a wedding reception sometime in the middle of January,and the reception will be held at the New State Legislative Building Complex.[17]

Early life and education

Born in impoverished circumstances in 1936, Taib can nonetheless trace an aristocratic link to the Royal Court of Brunei.[18] Taib's uncle, Abdul Rahman Ya'kub raised Taib since he was a boy.[19] Taib undertook his early schooling at St Joseph's Primary School in Miri and St. Joseph's Secondary School in Kuching. After school, he was persuaded by Rahman Ya'kub to take up law.[20] In 1958, his excellent performance in the Senior Cambridge Examination earned him a Shell scholarship, allowing Taib to further his studies at the University of Adelaide in South Australia. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the university in 1960. Since then, Taib Mahmud has written and published several Islamic books and other works including "Muhammad and His Mission, Islam and Utility of Mankind", "Freedom of Thought of Islam", and "Appropriate Strategy for Developing Countries in a Period of Resource Scarcity".[21]

Early political career

On returning to Sarawak, Taib worked in the Crown Council from 1962 to 1963.[22] He then joined the State Legislative Council of Sarawak on 22 July 1963, where he was appointed state minister for Communication and Works from 1963 to 1966 and Minister of Development and Forestry in 1967.[23] In 1964, he became the vice-chairman of Parti Berjasa, Sarawak. On several occasions, Taib Mahmud acted as Chief Minister. He was the vice-chairman of Parti Berjasa Sarawak in 1964. Taib was appointed Federal Assistant Minister for Commerce and Industry from 1968 until 1970.[24] He represented Parti Bumiputera Sarawak (BUMIPUTERA), which was a component party of Sarawak Alliance, in Malaysian general election, 1969.[25] During the 1970 parliamentary election for Sarawak, he was elected as the member of Malaysian parliament for Kota Samarahan seat.[26] He was later appointed to numerous portfolios including Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (1970–1972) and Natural Resources Minister (1972–1974).[27] In 1973, Taib was appointed deputy president of the newly-formed PBB before subsequently becoming the president of the party.[21] Abdul Rahman Ya'kub was Taib's political mentor for 20 years.[19]

Appointment as Chief Minister

After winning the Sebandi (now Asajaya) by-election in 1981, Taib was appointed as Sarawak's Land and Mines Minister before succeeding his uncle, Abdul Rahman Ya'kub, as the Chief Minister of Sarawak.[28] He held the Sebandi seat until 1987, when he was elected as state assemblyman for the Asajaya constituency.[29] In 2001 state election, he decided to contest in Balingian. Taib served in many public and voluntary bodies and represented the government at various international conferences.[21]

1987 Ming Court Affair

According to Malaysiakini, dissatisfaction with the Taib leadership arose when a group of PBB politicians claimed that the interests of Bumiputeras were being neglected. The group claimed Taib Mahmud had exclusively favoured the Chinese and Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP).[30] The Dayaks in the Sarawak Dayak People's Party (PBDS) were quite frustrated because the Chief Minister post has not been in their hands for 17 years. However, the main factor for upheaval in PBDS was the suspicion of Chief Minister Taib towards Leo Moggie, the PBDS president.[31] According to a doctoral dissertation written by David Walter Brown, fissures between the factions controlled by Taib and his uncle, Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'kub gradually developed after Rahman Ya'kub stepped down as Chief Minister. In 1985, Rahman Ya'kub was also removed from the office of governor by Taib himself.[32] This caused Rahman Ya'kub to launch a series of attacks against Taib in 1987, widely known as the Ming Court Affair.[33]

Rahman Ya'kub headed a group of disappointed Sarawak politicians from Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and PBDS to gather in Ming Court Hotel in Kuala Lumpur in order to move a motion of no confidence against Taib's leadership by signing letters collectively. Daniel Tajem, a former deputy chief minister and Leo Moggie were the other main plotters of this affair. Seeing such a political crisis, Taib immediately called for a snap state election in 1987, which he narrowly won.[34] His coalition won 28 out of 48 seats in the state assembly and later received another 8 defected assemblymen from PBDS, decreasing the original seats for PBDS from 15 to 7.[19][35] PBDS remained in the opposition until it was readmitted into Sarawak BN in 1994. The internal bickering of SNAP and PBDS has benefited the rule of Taib in the years to come.[34]

Progress and development in Sarawak

Since 1981, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown from RM 6.5 billion to RM 19.7 billion in 1995 and increased further to an estimated of RM 29.9 billion in 1999.[36] In 1995, 31.9% of the population was living in poverty and 10% in hard-core poverty. By 1997, the incidence of poverty was down to 7.5% and hard-core poverty went down to 0.7%. In 1980, only 31.8% of people of Sarawak had water supply, but in 1995, the figure has reached 85% of the population.[21]

But Sarawak's prosperity is not evenly shared across the socio-economic classes. Unlike the data above, academics and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are independent of Taib's PBB party revealed that the large disparity between urban and rural poverty remains a major challenge for Taib's three decades-old administration.[37][38]

Sarawak is one of the most visited islands in Malaysia and eco-tourism forms a major part of this state’s economy.[39] Taib's administration with the help of the Malaysian federal government, has made Sarawak's World Heritage more accessible through the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway.[40] In recent years, the Sarawak economy has started to become more industrialised. Manufacturing, industrial, and tourism sector are particularly high growth sectors.[41] High technology industries play a significant role into the economic expansion and creation of jobs in the state. As a result of Taib Mahmud's policy of development, Sarawak GDP growth exceeded national average in 1995.[42] To balance the development between urban and rural areas, Taib Mahmud also endorsed town planning, natural resources planning, large-scale plantations, and native customary land (NCR) development.[21] However, cases of exploitation of NCR lands for logging, mining, and plantation purposes have also been reported.[43][44] Sarawak is the first state in Malaysia to fully implement the e-government initiative while the Sarawak State Library is the first e-library in Malaysia.[45] The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) introduced by Taib is expected to further diversify the economy of Sarawak.[46]

During his tenure, Taib has been able to unite[47] cooperation the political leaders of the different parties and reach stable political consensus. Taib Mahmud is also regarded as successfully integrating the different social and racial groups in Sarawak.[47]

2030 vision for Sarawak

During the celebrations of Taib's 28th year in power as the chief minister of Sarawak, speaking at Dewan Suarah Bintulu Taib said that his vision for Sarawak was for it to become the richest state in Malaysia by the year 2030. It is the intention of Taib and his administration to develop more high-skilled jobs.[48]

To achieve this, the state is investing money in developing new higher education institutions.[49] This policy is intended to help move the economy away from industry which relies heavily on Sarawak's natural resources to a more skilled, serviced-based economy.[48]

Conservation

In February 2011, the Government of Sarawak announced that it is intensifying wildlife conservation and protection activities as part of its commitment to sustainable development. Chief Minister Taib Mahmud said: "We must plan our development in a sustainable manner, to ensure that the prosperity of the State will not only be sustained but can be handed down to our children and grand-children."[50]

A programme has been put in place to save the flora and fauna affected by the construction of the Bakun Hydro Electric Dam. A total of 349 species of flora, 65 species of fauna, 27 mammals and 38 bird species were identified and relocated to higher ground. There is now a conservation programme in place in the Bakun Dam catchment area and it is anticipated that the growth in eco-tourism will provide economic opportunities for local communities.[51]

Other programmes include the Heart 2 Heart orangutan campaign which invites the public to get involved with orangutan conservation; orang-utan and turtle adoption; protection of the dugong (a large marine mammal) and the Irrawaddy dolphin, which are both endangered species; and the Reef Ball project that will rehabilitate Sarawak´s ocean ecosystem by placing artificial reef modules in the sea to form new habitats. Reef balls have also proven their effectiveness in protecting turtles in Sarawak. In the early 1990s, between 70 to 100 turtle deaths were reported every year. Now, the number of deaths has been reduced significantly to less than 15 reported cases. Reef balls also protect traditional fishing areas and are used to create recreational diving sites.[52]

Sarawak Cabinet reshuffle

Taib announced his cabinet reshuffle on 8 November 2009.[53] Six new parliamentarians were appointed as assistant ministers, while the portfolios of others were changed. Five out of the six new appointees were sworn in on 21 November 2009 before the state governor, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhamad Salahuddin in the state assembly. The remaining assistant minister, Abdul Wahab Aziz, was on a pilgrimage.[54] The new cabinet line-up took effect on 1 December 2009.[54][55]

Taib, who retained the Finance, and Planning and Resource Management Minister portfolios, said the reorganisation was meant to prepare Sarawak for new development policies and approaches that could take place some time in the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) or after the next state election. He also said that with the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) coming up, he would reform Syarikat SESCO Berhad (SESCO) in the next one or two years.[55]

Controversies

Logging industry

The involvement of Taib and his family in logging industry is specifically mentioned in a report published by Forests Monitor. According to the report, the chief minister reserves his right to revoke timber licenses while no legal challenge is possible against the chief minister. This is to ensure that the anyone with logging interest is loyal to the chief minister. The report also notes that in general, mutually beneficial relationship between political elites and logging companies often results in corruption, bribery, and transfer pricing, where the financial details of transnational logging companies, including Malaysian ones, are difficult to track.[56] Based on a book written by Michael Lewin Ross, the political insecurity of Taib Mahmud from 1986 to 1991 has enabled him to accelerate the pace of logging in Sarawak. Taib is reported to have used timber concessions for personal and family enrichment.[19]

In 2007, The Japan Times reported that nine Japanese shipping companies, which transported timber from Sarawak, had allegedly failed to report some 1.1 billion yen in income over a period of up to seven years. The report claimed the money was paid to Sarawak officials via a Hong Kong agent linked to Taib's family.[57] Taib, however, denied totally the Japan Times allegations by presenting a 10-page clarification in the state assembly. He said that he had no knowledge about the bribes given to Sarawak officials and the evading of the income from timber production.[58]

In 2008, Indonesian newspaper Tribun Pontianak revealed that around 30 shipments of illegal Indonesian logs was imported into Sarawak and re-exported to other countries every month. Chief minister Taib Mahmud and the company Hardwood Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of state agency Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), was implicated in this timber scam.[59][60][61]

In 2009, the Malaysian 2008 annual auditor-general's report labelled the forest management in Sarawak by state government as unsatisfactory. However, Sarawak's Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan questioned the validity of the report as he claimed that the auditor-general's department did not have the expertise in forest management.[62]

The indigenous community petitions and road blockades against logging in their ancestral lands has lead to forceful dismantling of blockades, several deaths and violent coercion by the police and logging industry enforcers.[63][64]

According to Mongabay, Sarawak has lost 90% of its forests cover based on satellite images.[65] However, Taib Mahmud refuted the claim and said that there are still 70% of its forests remain intact and he also plans to invite independent investigations on Sarawak rainforest.[66]

Nepotism

Taib's son, Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, was appointed as Group Executive Director of Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB) on 23 January 1995. He is currently the Deputy Group Chairman of CMSB.[67] Abu Bekir Taib's siblings, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, Jamilah Hamidah Taib, Hanifah Hajar Taib and his late mother Laila Taib are substantial shareholders in the company.[67] Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib joined the board of CMSB when his brother Abu Bekir Taib, first became the Group Executive Director of CMSB. Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib was the Group Chairman of CMSB from May 2002 until June 2006, the former Non-Executive Director of CMSB,[68] and the former RHB Bank chairman.[69]

In the 2008 general election, Taib's son Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib won the Kota Samarahan seat in the Malaysian parliament previously held by his father[70] and became Deputy Tourism Minister in the new cabinet.[71] Prior to this, he did not have any political experience. On 14 December 2009, he resigned his deputy minister post due to personal reasons.[72]

Taib's brother, Mohd Tufail bin Mahmud is the co-owner of Sanyan Group, one of the Sarawak's biggest timber companies. In 2001, the Sanyan Group completed its construction of the 28-storey Wisma Sanyan in Sibu where the state government took up 8 office floors.[11]

Achi Jaya Shipping is owned by Onn Mahmud and his immediate family. Onn Mahmud is Taib Mahmud's brother. Achi Jaya Shipping is alleged to continue demand payment from Japanese log carriers for transporting wood from Sarawak although the payments are actually kickbacks as stated in 2007 timber kickback scandal.[73]

Taib's brother, Mohamad Arip bin Mahmud was appointed as a director of Jaya Tiasa Holdings Berhad (controlled by Rimbunan Hijau Group) on 13 April 1995. Taib's sister is also one of the Tiong's business partners.[74]

Taib's cousin, Abdul Hamed Sepawi is the chairman of Naim Holdings Berhad, Sarawak Energy Berhad,[75] and Ta Ann Holdings Berhad. He was also on the board of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corp and Sarawak Plantation Berhad.[76]

Taib's brother-in-law, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz Bin Dato Haji Husain, was appointed state secretary by Taib in 2000 and when he retired in 2006, he was appointed as the group managing director of Sarawak Energy Berhad since 2007.[77] He also holds directorships for Eksons Corporation Berhad, Mlabs Systems Berhad, Syarikat SESCO Berhad and other companies.[78]

Taib Mahmud, denying any wrongdoings, told Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) that he did not ask anybody to do his sons a favour for the positions in CMSB and other companies.[76] He also insisted that his family made money through their own hard work.[18]

Economic domination

Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB), the company controlled by Taib's family, has been awarded various government contracts including the maintenance of Sarawak's roads over the last 15 years.[11] These contracts also include construction of roads, supplying roofing materials for low-cost housing units, building hospitals, and upgrading airports.[11] In 2001, the Malaysian federal government allowed the CMS Group's banking unit Bank Utama to acquire RHB Bank to become one of Malaysia's 10 core banks.[11] The company, PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, which is 51% owned by CMSB, recently completed the construction of the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building in 2009.[79] CMSB is currently under the joint venture with leading aluminium producer, Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) to develop aluminium smelter in Similajau as part of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).[80]

A doctoral thesis written by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) lecturer, Dr Neilson Mersat, alleged that Taib's family wealth comes mostly from Sarawak state government contracts without tender, and profits were sent overseas to hide them.[81] Another lecturer in the faculty of Social Sciences at UNIMAS, Andrew Aeria, wrote a thesis which claimed that CMSB takeover of Bank Utama and other companies is an example where highly-profitable business are only favoured between well-connected individuals.[12] The privatisation of state-owned companies deprived the state government of sources of income, thus raising the burden of taxpayers.[12]

In 2000, the Sarawak cabinet had approved RM 551.02 million state contract to be awarded directly to Titanium Management Sdn. Bhd. Taib's son, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib is a major shareholder in the company.[82] This contract allowed Titanium to repair or replace 384 old bridges in the state in 7 years. The Malaysian 2006 auditor general report stated that agreement in the contract was favouring the contractor. There was a cost overrun of 72% from the original cost. A survey conducted by auditor-general department on 12 sites of the bridges discovered that the design of bridges over narrow rivers do not meet actual needs and were not built economically.[82][83]

In 2008, the Sarawak government planned to build 12 dams in Sarawak in order to meet the future energy demand of industrialisation. These dams are scheduled to be completed in 2020 although they need to be approved by environmental impact assessment. A memorandum of understanding was already signed between the Sarawak Energy Berhad and China Three Gorges Project Corporation on Murum Dam project.[84][85] A total of 51 dams may be constructed by the year 2037. This controversial hydroelectric project is receiving fierce criticism because of catastrophic disasters that they may cause and the possible displacements of native communities. The opponents of the plans cited this project as corruption and capital cronyism because CMSB is expected to be benefited indirectly by supplying concrete material for the construction of dams and building of aluminium smelter that consume much of the generated electricity.[86] In March 2009, Al Jazeera's '101 East' English programme was aired where the Sarawak's 12 dams issue and economic domination by Taib's family was discussed in great detail. Minister of Land Development, Dato Sri Dr. James Masing accepted the interview on this issue but the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud declined the interview invitation.[82]

James Masing, in an interview with Al Jazeera English, maintained that the contracts were awarded in a transparent manner either in open or closed tenders. He said that the state government give the contracts based on the previous good track record of the companies, not because of the alleged political connections.[82]

Personal wealth

Taib owns a mansion in Demak Jaya which overlooks the Sarawak River. According to photos in the July to December 2006 newsletter of Naim Cendera Holdings Bhd, Taib's living room is decorated with gilt-edged European-style sofa sets.[76] Taib Mahmud is said to wear double-breasted suits, driving around in Kuching in his cream-coloured Rolls-Royce car.[87] Laila Taib and her children are the majority shareholders of Sitehost Pty. Ltd., Australia, which owns Adelaide Hilton Hotel, according to Aliran Monthly, the reformist Malaysian magazine.[12] Taib was described as "flamboyant with expensive tastes"[88] and had reportedly purchased a piano once belonged to late American showman Liberace for US$2 million.[89] He also wears a ring with a walnut-sized red gem surrounded by small diamonds.[18]

Allegations by Sarawak Report

In the latest expose, Taib is alleged to have established a real estate empire, Sakto Corporation in Canada worth a few hundred million dollars, under the name of his son-in-law, Sean Murray.[90] This company was founded by Taib's brother Onn Mahmud, Taib's daughter Jamilah, and Sean Murray.[91] Sean Murray and Taib's daughter has successfully won the trust of Canadian government departments to move into the their office spaces after an open and competitive lease search. The ORC briefings stated that the facilities owned by Sakto Corporation was "built to high energy and environmental specifications" and "building is green in a number of ways".[92] Sarawak Report also alleged that Sakti International Corporation in United States which is also managed by the same couple, owns Abraham Lincoln building which houses the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) facility,[93] with Taib Mahmud as the ultimate owner of Sakti.[94] Taib family is also alleged to own property portfolio in London.[95] Taib Mahmud admitted that his daughter owns properties in Canada and London but he denied that his daughter's properties are operated using illegal money.[96]

Awards and Recognition

In July 2010, Taib was presented with the "Lifetime achievement" by Asia HRD Congress in order to commemorate his contributions towards developing the human capital in Sarawak especially for the establishment of University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). [97]

In December 2001, he was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, "for service to Australian-Malaysian bilateral relations".[98]

Taib also holds honorary degrees from a number of universities including, an Honorary Degree from the University of Adelaide, Australia, an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Putra, Malaysia, Honorary Doctor of Technology Degree from Curtin University of Technology, Australia, and in 1998, Taib was made the Honorary Fellow of Islamic Academy of Sciences at the Islamic Academy of Sciences, Amman, Jordan.[99]

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