KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, led the country’s leaders in expressing their deepest condolences over the sudden demise of Dewan Negara president Datuk Mutang Tagal.
“His passing occurred while he was in service to the nation. May his family find strength during this difficult time,” said Their Majesties in a post on the Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Facebook page.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described Mutang’s passing as “a great loss not only to Sarawak but also to the country”.
In a post on Facebook, Anwar also expressed his condolences, hoping that Mutang’s family would stay strong in their moment of bereavement.
“All his good deeds and contributions will be remembered,” he said, Bernama reported.
Mutang, 69, was the first Dayak from the Lun Bawang indigenous community to become Senate president when he was appointed to the position on Feb 19 this year.
He replaced Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who relinquished the post following his appointment as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak on Jan 26.
Mutang passed away at 11.46am yesterday at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
He had been receiving treatment there since returning early from a working trip to Azerbaijan on May 6.
He leaves behind his wife, Datin Ho May Leng, and three children.
Sarawak Deputy Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting said he had lost a close friend.
“We were both lawyers in Miri 40 years ago, so we knew each other very well. One happy memory was on Sept 9, 2017, when we both received our Datukship from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Ting also expressed Sarawak’s pride in Mutang’s appointment as the first Dayak Senate president.
“It was a great honour for the Dayak community and for Sarawak,” he added.
Ba’Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian said news of Mutang’s passing came as a shock.
“Not only the Lun Bawang but the Dayak community were proud that one of their own had been appointed as Senate president in February.
“It is indeed sad that he only served for a few months before his untimely demise,” he said.
Baru, who knew Mutang well as a fellow Lun Bawang lawyer and politician, said the loss would be deeply felt within the close-knit community.
Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki said Mutang’s passing was a big loss to Malaysia, Sarawak, the legal fraternity, and the business community.
“He made history by becoming the first Dayak Senate president. He was a true Anak Sarawak and a proud Lun Bawang,” he said.
Born on Oct 5, 1954, in Lawas, Mutang received his early education at Ba’Kelalan and Long Semadoh primary schools before going on to Limbang and Lawas secondary schools.
He continued his education at Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang in Miri and then studied law at Universiti Malaya.
Mutang entered politics in 1982, when he won the Bukit Mas parliamentary seat unopposed and retained it in 1986.
He was also a supreme council member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu from 1982 to 1990.
After serving as MP for two terms, he continued to practise law and held positions in various associations and the corporate sector.
Among others, he was president of the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, honorary consul of Romania in Sarawak, Sarawak Lun Bawang Association legal adviser and Sarawak Business Federation vice-president.
A wake will be held today from 10am to 2pm at Nirvana Centre in Kuala Lumpur for people to pay their last respects.
Another wake will be held tomorrow at the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Airport Road Church in Miri.
The funeral will be held at BEM Canada Hill Church in Miri at 9am on Monday, followed by burial at the BEM cemetery in Lambir, Miri.
