by Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Feb 21: The atmosphere was sombre at the residence of former Sarawak Governor, the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud this afternoon as his family gathered to receive his remains.
Taib passed away in the wee hours of the morning today at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
Upon the arrival of his body at 4.25pm at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Kuching, enlisted rank officers of the 8th Regiment Royal Artillery fired a 17-gun salute to mark Taib’s passing.
Meanwhile, funeral prayers took place alongside the casket-carrying rehearsal by pallbearers in the confines of Taib’s home in Demak Jaya, Jalan Bako.
Taib’s remains arrived at his home at 5.11pm in a special hearse, accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib and his four children from his first wife, Datuk Patinggi Laila Taib—Jamilah Taib, Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, Dato Sri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib and Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg alongside members of his cabinet and other state dignitaries were at the house to pay their final respects.
The Sarawak government announced that there will be a State funeral held for the late Governor at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex tomorrow (Feb 22). The public may pay their last respects from 8am to 11.30am. — DayakDaily
