a designer suit, a hat, and a smoking pipe instead of baju melayu and songkok (traditional Malay attire). Taib later had to tone his western image down to a traditional one in order to keep in touch with his people. Taib also developed an interest in Malay literature and pantuns (Malay poetry). He was also known for being a loyal fan of P. Ramlee, a famous Malaysian singer, actor and director. Taib would occasionally sing a number of P. Ramlee songs in official functions. He would later become a patron of P. Ramlee singing contest in Kuching, Sarawak. Taib also played a major role in Bangsawan, a traditional Malay opera. Taib Mahmud has written and published several Islamic books and other works including "Muhammad and His Mission, Islam and Utility of Mankind", "Freedom of Thought of Islam" and "Appropriate Strategy for Developing Countries in a Period of Resource Scarcity". Honours : Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (1989) Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (SMN) – Tun (2014) Awards and recognitions In April 2010, he received an honorary doctorate in Leadership from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology and is recognised as the "Architect of Modern Sarawak" or "Father of Modern Sarawak" by the university. In July 2010, Taib was presented with the "Lifetime achievement" by Asia HRD Congress to commemorate his contributions towards developing the human capital in Sarawak especially for the establishment of University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). In December 2001, he was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, "for service to Australian-Malaysian bilateral relations". Taib also received honorary degrees from a number of universities, i.e. a Doctor of Science degree from the University of Putra Malaysia (Seri Kembangan, Malaysia) in 1992, a Doctor of the University degree from the University of Adelaide (North Terrace, Australia) in 1994, and a Doctor of Technology degree from Curtin University of Technology (Bentley, Western Australia) in 2000. Furthermore, in 1998, Taib was made the Honorary Fellow of Islamic Academy of Sciences at the Islamic Academy of Sciences (Amman, Jordan). References Malaysian billionaires 1936 births People from Sarawak Chief Ministers of Sarawak Sarawak state ministers Living people Members of the Dewan Rakyat Members of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Government ministers of Malaysia Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Melanau people Malaysian Muslims Adelaide Law School alumni