KUCHING: The Dewan Syarahan Utama of the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur was filled with solemnity today as the nation bid farewell to the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
The ceremony provided an opportunity for the country’s leaders and the public to pay their last respects to the former Head of State of Sarawak before his remains were arranged to be transported back to Kuching this afternoon.
Among those present were the late Tun Taib’s wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, and daughter Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, who is also Deputy Minister for Economy.
Earlier, prayers were held for Taib’s body at the National Mosque which ended around 10.30 am.
Dignitaries present at the funeral prayers included Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Regent of Pahang Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
The body was then transported from the venue around 12.30 pm.
The remains of the late Taib are expected to arrive this afternoon at 3.30 pm at Kuching International Airport from Kuala Lumpur and will be taken directly to his residence in Demak Jaya, Jalan Bako.
On Thursday (Feb 22), Taib’s remains will be brought to the new State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Building, where the public can pay their final respects from 8 am to 12 noon.
