Taib laid to rest amid tears, rain at family cemetery in Demak Jaya

Former Sarawak governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was laid to rest at the family cemetery of his Demak Jaya residence at Jalan Bako here yesterday.

Sarawak’s longest serving chief minister was buried next to the grave of his first wife Datuk Patinggi Puan Sri Laila Taib.

Among the dignitaries present were Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Head of State Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Taib’s coffin arrived at the cemetery at 1.48pm a er Zohor prayers at the Demak Mosque.

Grand imam Datuk Mustapha Kamal Ahmad Fauzi performed the burial rites and led the talqin prayer a er the burial was completed.

The atmosphere was sombre as several people were seen weeping, while Taib’s sons Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir and Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman poured scented water and sca ered flower petals over his grave.

Speaking to reporters when met at the funeral ceremony, Bekir said his father’s demise was not only a tremendous loss for the region and Malaysia, but also to him and his family.

“He was an incredible father. He was very disciplined and strict. He was a great role model, for his achievements as well as his humility,” he said.

He also thanked the state and federal governments as well as the armed forces for all the assistances rendered to the family.

Taib passed away aged 87 at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur at 4.40am on Wednesday.

Born on May 21, 1936, he led the state as chief minister for 33 years, and served three terms as governor.

SARAWAK’S longest-serving chief minister and former governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was honoured with a state funeral yesterday at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex, where leaders and the public gathered to pay their last respects before burial at the family cemetery in Demak Jaya.

— Photo by Chimon Upon Sulaiman (third le ) and Bekir hold hands during the burial ceremony. Also seen are (from fi h le ) Wan Junaidi, Sultan Hassanal, the sultan’s son Pengiran Muda Abdul Mateen Bolkiah, and Taib’s wife Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi.

— Penerangan photo Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) leaders led by party president, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian (front, fourth left), pay their last respects to Taib.

Petronas executive vice-president and CEO of Upstream Datuk Adif Zulkifli (fourth left), Senior Vice President Group Legal & Group General Counsel Razman Hashim (third left), and Vice President of Group Strategic Relations & Communications Nooruddin Abdullah @ Liew Sze Hoon (second left) together with other members of the management team pay their last respects to Taib at the DUN Complex.

— Photo by Roystein Emmor Taib’s wife Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi (fourth left) is joined by the Premier’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang (third left), Women, ChildhoodandCommunityWellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah (second left) and Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali (fifth left) in prayer.

— Bernama photo Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (second right) is joined by Taib’s son Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir (right), State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki (left) and State Grand Imam Datuk Mustapha Kamal Abdul Rahman (second left) in prayers for Taib.

— Photo by Chimon Upon (From fifth left) Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Head of State Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Demak Mosque for the funeral prayers.

— Penerangan photo Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (left) chats with Taib’s son Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir at the DUN Complex. Taib’s wife Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi is at second right.

— Bernama photo Taib’s casket is seen as he lies in state at the atrium of the DUN Complex.

— Photo by Chimon Upon Officers from the military and police carry Taib’s casket.

— Penerangan photo Members of the public pay their respect to Taib.