KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Joseph Kurup will be remembered for his service and sacrifices to the country, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in paying tribute to the founder of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), who died today.
“My condolences to the family of the deceased. The services and sacrifices of the deceased when he was a minister at the federal and state levels will surely be remembered by the people and the country,” Anwar said on social media following the news of Joseph’s death.
Joseph, 79, died at the National Heart Institute here earlier today.
The first and longest-serving president of PBRS was also hailed as a seasoned and exceptional leader by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“Reflecting on the time I had the honour to work alongside him, as his assistant minister in the Sabah Industrial Development Ministry back in 1994, I am reminded of his exceptional leadership and the considerable contributions he has made to our community, state and country,” Hajiji said in a statement.
“Tan Sri Joseph’s legacy is one of dedication and service, a true loss to us all,” he added, extending his condolences to Joseph’s family.
Joseph’s death was confirmed earlier by his son Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, who succeeded his father as PBRS president in January last year.
Arthur, who is federal deputy agriculture and food security minister, is also MP for Pensiangan, his father’s parliamentary seat from 2008 to 2018.
Joseph decided not to contest the general election in 2018 to pave the way for Arthur’s entry into politics. Arthur defended the seat in the 2022 general election. – April 17, 2024