KUALA LUMPUR – Family members, friends and public figures are flocking to the National Mosque here to pay their final respects to former Sarawak governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Several of his relatives started to gather at the mosque as early as 7.30am as they waited for Taib’s body to arrive from the nearby Cardiac Vascular Sentral medical centre here, where he was receiving treatment prior to his demise.
Along with an entourage of police and army personnel, the hearse carrying Taib’s body arrived at the mosque at about 9am amid sunny skies.
Taib was accompanied in the hearse by his wife, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib and daughter, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, who is also deputy economy minister.
The Jalur Gemilang is also draped over his coffin, which is placed inside the mosque as prayers take place.
Raghad, clad in a sequined white dress and matching shawl, appeared in stark contrast with Hanifah, who donned a plain beige hoodie and sweatpants.
Escorting the hearse was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid were spotted entering the prayer area a while later.
When approached by the media, Julau MP Datuk Larry Sng expressed his sorrow over Taib’s passing, noting that the statesman had been an important mentor throughout his political career.
“I will always remember him (Taib) as my mentor, who gave me every opportunity (that he could) and was never short on good advice.
“I’m indebted to him. He’s the only politician I know who means everything he says and delivers every policy he makes. There is no one in living memory who I hold the same regard for.”
Following funeral rites at the mosque, Taib’s body will be taken to the Subang airport to be flown to Sarawak for a state funeral before he is laid to rest.
The state government has declared a two-day mourning period starting today, where flags across Sarawak will be flown at half-mast and the public will be able to pay their respects tomorrow at the state assembly building in Kuching.
Prior to his passing at 4.40am today, Taib’s condition had been the subject of speculation and drama over the last few months, with police reports being made against his wife Raghad accusing her of absconding her husband from Sarawak.
Just yesterday, Raghad said Taib was recuperating in the hospital after a photo of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visiting an individual in the hospital, claimed to be Taib, went viral.
Raghad is also stuck in a legal battle with her stepsons, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib and Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, over the transfer of Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd shares to her.
Both of Taib’s sons, Sulaiman and Mahmud, are also here.
The duo from Taib’s first marriage with Laila Taib, dressed in white, appeared solemn as they greeted visitors.
At the mosque’s Dewan Syarahan Utama, where Taib lies in state, the two sons were sat conspicuously away from their stepmother Raghad, whom they are suing over the transfer of Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd shares.
The sons are on one side, closer to the area where they are speaking with visitors, while Raghad is sitting on the other side of the hall, away from the crowds. – February 21, 2024