SHAH ALAM - Sarawak’s longest-serving chief minister, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, 87, passed away at 4.28am at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur today.
Sarawak's Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who confirmed Taib’s demise, said a state funeral will be held at the new Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex in Kuching.
Taib served for three terms as Sarawak governor from March 1, 2014, until January 26 this year, when Tun Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar succeeded him.
His daughter Datuk Hanifar Hajar Taib in a Facebook posting said his body will be at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur before being brought back to Kuching.
Taib had served as Sarawak's Chief Minister for over three decades starting from 1981, making him the longest-serving head of government in Malaysian state history.
On Feb 12, 2014, he submitted his resignation letter to the Governor of Sarawak, marking the end of his tenure as chief minister and was appointed as the 7th Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak on Feb 28.