KUALA LUMPUR: A sombre atmosphere has settled around Masjid Negara here as funeral prayers are carried out for the late former Sarawak governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud on Wednesday (Feb 21) morning.
Abdul Taib’s remains were brought to the main prayer hall of the national mosque at 10.20am.
A crowd comprising family members and dignitaries gathered inside as the police and Armed Forces stood vigil on the mosque grounds and its surroundings.
ALSO READ: Former Sarawak governor Taib Mahmud passes away
Among the dignitaries who came to pay their respects was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Abdul Taib passed away earlier Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, his daughter Datuk Hanifah Taib said the 87-year-old breathed his last at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur at 4.40am.
Sarawak has declared two days of mourning for the late former Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
The state government said flags would be flown at half-mast on Wednesday and Thursday (Feb 22), while official functions involving entertainment would be postponed.
ALSO READ: Sarawak declares two days of mourning for Taib Mahmud
The state government also said a state funeral would be held for Abdul Taib at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex on Thursday.
The public can pay their last respects from 8am to 11.30am Thursday.
After that, Abdul Taib's remains will be brought to Masjid Demak for prayers and laid to rest at the family burial ground of his private residence in Demak Jaya.
