KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman has hailed Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) founder Joseph Kurup as a “loyal friend” and an unwavering Barisan Nasional (BN) ally, following the latter’s death on wednesday.
Kurup, 79, died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur after a political career that spanned four decades.
The former Sabah deputy chief minister held several ministerial posts and led BN component PBRS from the party’s inception in 1994 to his retirement from politics last January.
“On behalf of my wife Faridah Tussin and my family, I extend my deepest condolences to Melinda and the family of the late Joseph Kurup on his passing,” said Musa in a statement.
“As the PBRS founder, Kurup was the bedrock of the party… He was a party man and kept PBRS together against all odds before passing the torch to his son Arthur upon retiring from politics last year.
“Kurup was not only a political ally but a loyal friend who was open to discussions and upheld the BN spirit of mutual cooperation and respect.
“As a partner in BN, he remained steadfast till the end, not abandoning his friends in their hour of need.”
Kurup was the Sabah deputy chief minister between 1986 and 1990, and again from 1994 to 1999. His last post was national unity minister between 2013 and 2018.
He was the Pensiangan MP from 2008 to 2018. He did not defend his seat in the 2018 general election, opting instead to give way to Arthur, 40.
Arthur is the current deputy agriculture and food security minister.
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