KUALA LUMPUR – Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib has penned a simple, heartfelt message confirming her husband, the former Sarawak governor, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s death.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my husband earlier this morning.
“No words could describe how much he meant to me… may your soul be blessed and placed among the righteous in paradise. Al-fatihah,” she said in an Instagram post.
Taib died around 4.40am today at KL Cardiac Vascular Sentral after falling ill last year. He was 87 years old.
His passing was announced earlier by his daughter and Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib’s private secretary.
Taib had wed Syrian-born Raghad on December 18, 2010, after the passing of his first wife, Polish-born Lejla Chaleck – who later adopted the name Laila Taib – in 2009.
While Taib and Laila’s marriage saw the couple blessed with four children – Jamilah Taib Murray, Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman and Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib – as well as 15 grandchildren, Taib also welcomed Raghad’s two sons, from her previous marriage, when he wed her.
Raghad and the spotlight
Raghad and her two sons (from a previous relationship) were no strangers to the public’s eyes and interest, especially when rumours surfaced in 2017 that the trio were accorded native Bumiputera-Melanau status.
However, previous reports stated that Astana Negara would lodge a police report against anyone who questioned Raghad’s native status.
Last month, Raghad again came under scrutiny when leaked photos of her packing numerous boxes to move out of Taib’s official residence in Demak Jaya surfaced on social media.
On February 6, Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata confirmed that police were investigating reports filed against Raghad.
However, the newly widowed Raghad had denied any accusations of “absconding” her husband, saying that she did not act against the doctor’s advice and that her only concern was Taib’s health.
She also called for the public to stop making assumptions and accusations towards her, while also emphasising that she is a Malaysian and “will always be a Malaysian” despite being born in Syria.
She also lodged a police report on February 13 against claims that she had “kidnapped” her husband from a hospital and said that she was prepared to cooperate with the authorities.
Raghad, at all times, maintained to the public that her utmost priority was Taib’s health and condition.
However, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, on February 10, said the investigation paper against Raghad has been referred to the state’s prosecutor’s office and is awaiting further action.
Just hours before Taib’s death was announced, Raghad took to her social media yesterday to rubbish any rumours and maintained that her husband was still recuperating in hospital.
Fighting over Taib’s wealth
On February 19, the Kuching High Court ordered Raghad and her lawyers to conduct a legal review on whether the civil suit filed against her by her stepsons could fall under the jurisdiction of the shariah court.
Judicial commissioner Alexander Siew said the issue was not raised by the defendant as one of the grounds of the case, nor was it mentioned in the defence filed by the defendant.
“Based on our facts, shares in Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB) registered in the name of the late Laila Taib were registered during her marriage to Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud. As a result, these shares were acquired together with matrimonial property.
“This, consequently, falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the shariah court, and this court should not entertain claims made by the plaintiffs (Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib and Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib).
“The plaintiffs’ action should, therefore, be dismissed because this court does not have jurisdiction over the matter,” said Yong, as reported by Borneo Post Online.
Raghad is being sued by his sons, Sulaiman and Bekir, who are seeking a court injunction to halt the transfer of shares from CMSB to her. Sulaiman and Bekir have named Raghad as the first defendant and RHB Investment Bank Bhd as the second defendant.
The hearing will continue on March 14. – February 21, 2024