KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Negara president Senator Datuk Mutang Tagal has died today. He was 70.
Mutang had fallen ill during a work visit to Azerbaijan and was brought back to Malaysia this week for treatment.
He had been receiving treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN) since May 6 due to health issues he experienced while in Azerbaijan.
The Office of the Dewan Negara President confirmed in a statement that the country’s first indigenous Sarawakian senate president passed away at 11.46am at the heart specialist institution.
Further details on his funeral and memorial service will be provided later, according to his office.
He was appointed as Dewan Negara president on February 19 of this year. He was the first Orang Ulu (Dayak indigenous) to hold the post after taking over from Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was appointed Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak.
He was an ethnic Lun Bawang, a subgroup of Dayaks native to Sarawak.
Born on October 5, 1954, in Lawas, Mutang received his primary education at SK Long Semadoh and SK Ba’kelalan before continuing his studies at SMK Limbang and SMK Lawas.
He then pursued his studies at Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang in Miri and later studied law at the University of Malaya.
A trained lawyer by profession, he previously served as Bukit Mas MP from 1982 to 1990.
He leaves behind his wife, Datin Ho Mei Leng, and three children.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, in a statement, expressed his condolences on Mutang’s passing.
Johari said he was saddened upon hearing the news. He also reflected on his experience working with Mutang.
“I want to convey my deepest sympathies and sorrow on the passing of Dewan Negara president Senator Datuk Mutang Tagal at the National Heart Institute today.
“Reflecting on my experience working with him, the late senator was a proud leader of the Lun Bawang ethnic group who was committed to the reform efforts of the Malaysian Parliament,” he added.
He was also a leader who was concerned about the welfare of the Malaysian people, and his passing is a great loss to all, Johari said. – May 10, 2024