In Malaysia, money squabbles cast long shadow over death of Sarawak’s ex-governor Taib Mahmud

Rancour between Taib’s wife Raghad – accused of moving the ailing Taib – and his two sons will only likely deepen as they continue a court dispute over his vast wealth

Raghad is embroiled in a lawsuit brought by Taib’s two sons seeking to stop the transfer of shares to her held by their father in conglomerate CMS

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Sarawak’s then-chief minister Taib Mahmud (middle) arrives at the state’s legislative assembly in Kuching in 2013. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:30pm, 21 Feb 2024Updated: 6:57pm, 21 Feb 2024

The last few weeks of the life of Taib Mahmud, 87, who dominated Sarawak’s business and politics for over three decades, were a chaotic whirl of accusations and acrimony after claims he was taken from hospital in Kuching by his wife against doctor’s orders – and later sent to Kuala Lumpur where he died on Wednesday.

In death, the rancour between Taib’s younger Syrian wife – accused of moving the ailing Taib – and his two sons will only likely deepen as they continue a court dispute over his vast wealth.

But on Wednesday morning, a tearful Raghad Kurdi Taib and her husband’s four children appeared to have set aside their differences for Taib’s wake at the national mosque.

There, alongside members of Taib’s extended family, they received a long line of national and state leaders who arrived to pay their last respects.

Taib’s wife Raghad Kurdi (left) is being consoled by the late former governor’s aunt (right) as his remains lie in state. Photo: Hadi Azmi

Taib was accorded a state funeral, his casket placed on a pedestal and draped in the Malaysian flag, surrounded by vigil guards.

The former Sarawak governor’s body was later flown back to Kuching, where the state government will arrange for a second wake at his residence before burial on Thursday.