Published: Thursday April 30, 2009 MYT 4:05:00 PM
Laila Taib laid to rest
By SHARON LING
KUCHING: Puan Sri Laila Taib, the wife of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, was laid to rest at the Demak Jaya Muslim Cemetery at Jalan Bako here Thursday.
Her remains were brought to the cemetery after funeral rites were performed at Demak Jaya, the Chief Minister’s residence, at 11.30am.
Hundreds of people including top government leaders and members of royalty paid their last respects to Laila at Demak Jaya.
The Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Sultan Iskandar were among those present.
Also in attendance were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
Laila, 68, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, leaving behind four children, including Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, and 15 grandchildren.
Her eldest daughter Jamilah Hamidah Taib said Laila was an inspiration to everyone who met her.
“She’s not one to tell people what to do but she’ll inspire you -- that’s what she did best.
“As a mother, she never once shouted. She was always very elegant and one word to describe her would be ‘grace.’ She was very graceful in everything she did,” Jamilah said.
Najib said after the funeral that Laila’s demise was a loss not only to the Chief Minister but to the people of Sarawak and Malaysia.
For Hishammuddin, Laila’s passing was a great loss to him personally as he had known Taib and Laila from an early age.
“I grew up knowing both of them when my father was Prime Minister and I can’t imagine Taib without his wife. It’s a very sad moment for everyone,” he said.
Meanwhile Dr Rais said Laila’s readiness to help those in need should be emulated by all.
“I’ve known her for more than 28 years and she always had a great concern to help others. She contributed greatly to welfare not only in Sarawak but also in Peninsula Malaysia through her work in Perkim (the Muslim Welfare Organisation of Malaysia),” he said.
Abdullah said although Taib had lost a dearly-loved wife, he believed the Chief Minister would still continue to serve the people of Sarawak to the best of his ability.
“This is a big loss and I am greatly saddened as both my wife and I knew Laila well. She was an inspiration and her passing will be deeply felt by everyone,” he added.
Previous stories:
Sarawak CM’s wife Laila dies at 68
PM conveys condolences to Sarawak leader on wife’s passing
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