KUCHING, May 10: All members of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) took a moment of silence to reflect and pray — according to their respective religions — on the passing of the late Senate President, Datuk Mutang Tagal.
Deputy Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Dato Idris Buang announced the sad news during the afternoon session’s adjournment.
“The Honourable Datuk Mutang Tagal passed away while the House was hearing a motion for debate from Tanjong Datu Assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan and while the Ambassador of Azerbaijan was in the House,” he said.
Mutang, 69, breathed his last around 11.46 am today at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur due to heart complications, according to a statement by the Office of the Senate.
He was appointed as the 20th Senate Speaker on February 19, 2024, replacing Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who resigned on January 26, 2024.
Mutang was nominated for Senate President by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and was the sole candidate for the position.
He was the first Orang Ulu to hold the position, and had previously served as the Member of Parliament for Bukit Mas, Sarawak, from 1982 to 1990.-TVS
