KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 21): The Sarawak government has declared a two-day mourning period following the demise of former Sarawak governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, 87, in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday.

Flags throughout the state would be flown at half-mast, and all entertainment events would be postponed, Bernama reported, citing a statement from the state. “Mosques and places of worship are encouraged to hold prayer sessions,” the state said.

Abdul Taib’s body was flown back to Kuching on Wednesday afternoon and arrived at his residence at 5.10pm, before funeral prayers, led by the state’s chief imam, Datuk Mustapha Kamal Ahmad Fauzi, was conducted, the news agency reported.

His residence in Demak Jaya, Kuching, was filled with close family members and Sarawak leaders who had come to pay their last respects. Among those present were Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and a lineup of Sarawak ministers.

His body will be taken to the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building on Thursday for members of the public to pay their last respects between 8am and 11.30am, according to the news agency.

Abdul Taib’s body was flown back to his residence in Kuching on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Bernama

It will then be moved to Masjid Demak near his house for the final prayers before a state burial at the family cemetery nearby.

Credited as the Father of Modern Sarawak for his contributions to the state’s development and modernisation during the 33 years he led the state as chief minister between 1981 and 2014, Abdul Taib died in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur at 4.40am on Wednesday. Funeral rites were performed for him at Masjid Negara here before his remains were flown back to Kuching.

The King, Sultan Ibrahim, together with his Queen, Raja Zarith Sofiah, conveyed their condolences to Taib’s family on social media.

“The late Abdul Taib made a significant impact and will always be remembered, especially by the people of the Land of the Hornbills. Al-Fatihah,” a post on Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page read.

Likewise, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and his sultanah, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, expressed their condolences through the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page.

Sultan Sharafuddin described the late Abdul Taib as a figure who had contributed significantly to Sarawak and Malaysia. “The late Abdul Taib has also shown commitment and full cooperation during the meetings of the Conference of Rulers throughout his service as the Governor of Sarawak,” the post read.