KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, the founder of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), died today at the age of 79.
His son Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup confirmed his passing on Facebook tonight, saying: “Thank you Dad. You’re the best. I love you with all my heart”.
The New Straits Times earlier reported Joseph’s passing at the National Heart Institute here.
The former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department had also held the deputy minister portfolios for rural and regional development, and natural resources and environment.
Joseph had also been Sabah’s deputy chief minister twice, besides leading various state ministries.
In January last year, Joseph stepped down as PBRS president, having led the party since he founded it in 1994. The party also joined Barisan Nasional the same year.
His son Arthur, who was PBRS deputy president, succeeded him as party president upon his resignation last year.
Arthur is currently the federal deputy agriculture and food security minister.
Joseph was elected assemblyman for the Sook state seat in Sabah in 1985, marking his entry into active politics. He was then a member of Parti Bersatu Sabah.
He made his parliamentary debut in 2008, when he won the Pensiangan seat, which he defended until 2018.
His son Arthur was fielded in Pensiangan and has defended the seat twice, in the 2018 and 2022 general elections.
Joseph is survived by his wife Puan Sri Melinda Mak Soak Fong, son Arthur and five more children. – April 17, 2024