KOTA KINABALU: Former Chief Ministers Tan Sri Musa Aman and Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Salleh Said Keruak pay tribute to Tan Sri Joseph Kurup who passed away yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.
“On behalf of my wife Puan Sri Faridah Haji Tussin and my family, I extend my deepest condolences to Puan Sri Melinda and the family of the late Tan Sri Joseph Kurup on his passing,” Musa said in a statement today.
“While serving as Sabah Chief Minister, I had the opportunity to work with Tan Sri Kurup, then President of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), an unwavering ally of Barisan Nasional,” he added
Musa said Tan Sri Joseph Kurup was a seasoned politician having held several ministerial posts during a career that spanned four decades.
“As founder of PBRS, Tan Sri Kurup was the bedrock of the party and was President since its inception till he retired early last year,” he said.
Musa said Tan Sri Joseph Kurup was a party man and kept PBRS together against all odds before passing the torch to his son Datuk Arthur Kurup upon retiring from politics last year.
According to Musa, Tan Sri Joseph 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.”
“May he rest in peace,” Musa said.
Salleh also expressed his deep grief over the passing of the former PBRS President.
In extending his condolences to the bereaved family, in his latest Facebook post, said: “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and his family.
May they all discover the resilience needed to navigate through this challenging period”.
Meanwhile, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick extends his condolences to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Kurup on the passing of Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
Ewon, who is also the President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), said that UPKO has a long history of close relations with PBRS, the party founded by the late Tan Sri Joseph.
“In leadership, the late Tan Sri Joseph Kurup has given his best to the people and our country. His passing is a loss, but also a reminder of his services.
“I have contacted YB Datuk Arthur to convey my condolences and those of UPKO on the passing of the beloved father figure Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
“I pray that Datuk Arthur and his family are given strength and comfort,” he said in a statement today.
