Dewan Negara president Mutang Tagal passes away

KUCHING: Dewan Negara president Datuk Mutang Tagal passed away at 11.46am on Friday (May 10).

A statement from his office said Mutang, 70, passed away at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, where he was admitted for treatment since returning from a work trip to Azerbaijan on Monday (May 6).

Mutang, a Lun Bawang from Lawas in northern Sarawak, was the first Dayak to become Senate president when he was appointed on Feb 19 this year, taking over from Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

A lawyer by training, he served two terms as Bukit Mas MP from 1982 to 1990.

He was also the president of the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and honorary consul of Romania in Sarawak.

Mutang’s office said details of his funeral would be announced later.

“His family thanks everyone for their prayers and condolences and requests privacy at this time,” it added.

Mutang is survived by his wife and three children.