KUCHING: The passing of the Senate President, Senator Datuk Mutang Tagal, who breathed his last at the National Heart Institute (IJN), Kuala Lumpur on Friday, left a significant impact on the Lun Bawang community in Sarawak.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol said that the late Datuk Mutang was a great icon of rural Sarawak and should be admired.

He shared that besides the late Senator's success as a professional and in the field of politics, the remarkable figure from the Orang Ulu ethnic group was highly disciplined to excel in education and personal life.

"The late Datuk Mutang should be admired as an icon of rural Sarawakian, demonstrating great resilience and discipline since childhood to excel in education and build a brilliant life and bring pride to his community," he said when contacted by UKAS on Friday.

The Office of the President of the Senate, in an official statement, confirmed that he, aged 70, breathed his last at 11:46 am, leaving behind a wife and three children.

Previously, he had received treatment at IJN upon arrival in Malaysia on May 6 after being in Azerbaijan for an official working visit.

The Office of the President of the Senate also announced that the final tribute ceremony would be held at Nirvana Centre Kuala Lumpur from 10 am to 2 pm, on Saturday.

On Sunday, the final tribute ceremony will be held at BEM Airport Road Church, Miri at 10 am.

Meanwhile, on Monday, a memorial service will be held at BEM Canada Hill Church, Miri starting from 9 am until completion, and the burial arrangements will take place at SIB Cemetery, Lambir, Miri on Monday.

For the record, Senator Datuk Mutang, born on October 5, 1954, was elected as the 20th President of the Senate and took oath on February 19, 2024.

His appointment marked history for the Lawas-born as he became the first leader from the Lun Bawang group to be appointed as President of the Senate. - UKASnews