The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah today conferred the honorary doctor of laws to Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud at the 79th Convocation of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam.

Abdul Taib, in his speech after receiving the award, said the honour given by UiTM would stimulate and encourage him to continue contributing to society.

"Indeed, the honour is very high and I am grateful to UiTM. This award, to me, is an award to fellow politicians for making politics a way to serve and change the lot of the people and to prosper society," he said.

Abdul Taib, who has a first class law degree from Adelaide University, Australia, said the knowledge and discipline gleaned during his studies greatly helped in managing and implementing political, socio-economic and welfare developments for the well-being of the people.

He turned the experience, training and knowledge, especially in law during the 13 years of holding numerous portfolios in the Malaysian cabinet, into a foundation to strengthen his capability to administer Sarawak.

Abdul Taib said the construction of more UiTM campuses in Sarawak also opened more opportunities for poor bumiputera from the rural areas to further their studies.

- Bernama