MIRI – Sarawak will postpone discussions regarding the appointment of the next Dewan Negara president until after Senator Datuk Mutang Tagal’s funeral, according to state premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to Bernama, Abang Johari said that he will engage in talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim only following the conclusion of funeral rites.
“We will first pay our respects to the late senator, and then we will discuss the position,” he said when approached by reporters after paying his last respects to the late Mutang, here today.
Mutang, the former Bukit Mas MP (1982-1990), was appointed as the 20th president of the Dewan Negara on February 19, replacing Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who relinquished the post following his appointment as Sarawak Governor.
He died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (May 10) morning, aged 70.
“Unfortunately, he served for a relatively short period. He was suffering from heart disease,” Abang Johari said, adding that surgery could not be performed on Mutang on Thursday as his condition was deemed not ready for surgery at that time.
Mutang was admitted to IJN shortly after arriving from Azerbaijan on May 6, following a working visit that started on April 29 and returning earlier than scheduled.
The senate president had led a Malaysian delegation to attend the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue held from May 1 to 3 in Baku.
Abang Johari said the Sarawak government mourned the passing of a prominent figure from the state who contributed significantly to the region and Malaysia.
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president said although he was no longer an elected representative, Mutang continued to contribute towards strengthening PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“On behalf of the Sarawak government and our cabinet colleagues, we offer our condolences to the late Mutang’s family and hope they remain patient during this time,” he said.
Mutang’s remains were flown back to Miri from Subang Air Base on a Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft at 8am.
Upon touchdown at Miri Airport, his body, accompanied by police escorts, arrived at the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Airport Road Church at 11.20am for people to pay their final respects.
Besides Abang Johari and wife Puan Sri Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and wife Datin Doreen Mayang were among other leaders from Sarawak who attended.
Mutang’s body will be taken to BEM Canada Hill Church at 9am tomorrow for the funeral service before burial at SIB Lambir cemetery. – May 12, 2024