BY JAMES WONG, NURA V LORNA & NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY
KUCHING: Thousands assembled at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building here this morning to pay their last respects to the late former Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Taib’s remains were brought to the DUN building at 7:50 am, accompanied by his children, Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, and Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
Eight pallbearers from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) carried the casket and positioned it on a designated platform in the atrium, allowing both VIPs and the public to offer their final respects.
The atmosphere within the DUN Atrium was sombre, with mourners seen shedding tears as they bid farewell to their departed leader.
Among those present were Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy State Secretary (Operation) Datuk Hii Chang Kee, Mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Datuk Wee Hong Seng and Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak president Datuk Richard Wee.
As mourners gathered to pay their final respects, a prayer recitation led by Guru Al Quran Majlis Islam Sarawak and the Kuching Division Qari Association offered solace and reflection.
Taib, 87, passed away at 4.40 am yesterday in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
He was brought back to his home state at 4.40pm and will be laid to rest at the burial of family cemetery in Demak Jaya after Zohor prayers today.
