I shut out CMS from my life, says Taib

Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMS) had never taken advantage of its links with the State Government to become a successful business entity, Sarawak Head of State, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud said Wednesday night.

He said during his tenure as Chief Minister, he had "shut out CMS from his life until now", and was happy

that the company's management understood his reason to do so.

"I didn't want any conflict between my private interest and my duty as Chief Minister," he said at a dinner to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of CMS here.

Taib, who retired as Sarawak Chief Minister at the end of February this year, was glad that despite his stand, CMS which began humbly as a cement manufacturing company had grown to become a successful public listed company.

"It is up to CMS to decide now as it is very strong, and if it wants to diversify, I hope it will do as well as its core business today," he added.