Taib Mahmud's remains being flown to Kuching

KUALA LUMPUR: The body of the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud has left Masjid Negara here for the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang where the former Sarawak governor will be flown to Kuching.

He was transported in a Malaysian Islamic Development Department funeral van, accompanied by at least a 12-car convoy and police outriders.

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Earlier, members of royal families and leaders arrived to pay respects to the late Abdul Taib, 87, who passed away at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur at 4.40am on Wednesday (Feb 21).

Among them were Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Perlis Regent Raja Muda Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Also present to pay respects was Melaka governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.

ALSO READ: Sarawak's giant flag to fly at half-mast

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.

A state funeral would be held for Abdul Taib at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex on Thursday (Feb 22).

The public can pay their last respects from 8am to 11.30am.

After that, Abdul Taib's remains will be brought to Masjid Demak for prayers before being laid to rest at the family burial ground at his private residence in Demak Jaya.