KUCHING – Grieving Sarawakians from all walks of life converged at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here this morning to pay their last respects to the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.
The former Sarawak governor passed away at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning. He was 87.
The coffin bearing Taib’s remains arrived at the atrium from his residence in Demak Jaya at 7.50am, accompanied by his children Jamilah Hamidah, Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Sulaiman, and Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
Taib’s wife, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, arrived at around 8.20am.
Members of the public began gathering as early as 8am to pay their respects, while state and federal leaders are expected to arrive at 10am onwards.
Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is expected to be among the dignitaries attending the funeral.
At around 9.10am, Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian arrived to pay his respects while leading a delegation from SUPP, including state Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg arrived at around 9.25am while accompanied by state secretary Datuk Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.
Present to pay their last respects were Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, deputy premiers Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Also in attendance were Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah; Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin; Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi; Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi; Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; other ministers and deputy ministers as well as state elected representatives and MPs.
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen were also among those who joined community leaders, corporate leaders, members of associations and non-governmental organisations, civil servants and the public in paying their respects to Taib.
Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem when met said Taib’s demise marked the saddest day in history for Sarawak.
“He was our former chief minister for such a long time and then later appointed as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri. He has done so much for Sarawak and Sarawak is what it is today because of him.”
Former Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie said he was fortunate to have served under Taib during his tenure as chief minister.
“I learnt a lot from him and I’m also very thankful for how he has developed and brought stability to our state. He laid a good foundation for Sarawak’s future.
“Personally, I’m also grateful to him for bringing me into politics where I ended up serving 20 years in politics. So you can say that he shaped my life in a very significant way.”
At 11.35am, the casket, which was wrapped in the Sarawak flag, was carried by officers from the military and the police, and then brought to the Demak Mosque for prayers before the state burial at Taib’s family cemetery in Demak Jaya. – February 22, 2024