KUCHING: The passing of Senate President Datuk Mutang Tagal is a great loss for Sarawak and the country.
The figure from the Lun Bawang ethnic group, one of the Orang Ulu ethnicities in northern Sarawak, passed away at 11.46 am Friday at the age of 69 at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur.
Born on Oct 5, 1954, in Lawas, Mutang received his primary education at SK Long Semadoh and SK Ba’kelalan before continuing his studies at SMK Limbang and SMK Lawas.
He then pursued his studies at Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang in Miri and later studied law at the University of Malaya.
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The call to serve at the federal level emerged again when Mutang, with a background as a legal practitioner, was appointed as the 20th President of the Dewan Negara on Feb 19.
He made history as the first leader from the Lun Bawang ethnic group to be appointed to the post.
Mutang replaced Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who relinquished the post following his appointment as the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak on Jan 26.
He also held several other positions, including as Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI) President, Sarawak Lun Bawang Association legal adviser and Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) Vice-President.
On May 6, Mutang received medical treatment at IJN due to health issues he experienced while in Azerbaijan.
He went to Azerbaijan on April 29 on a working visit and cut short his trip to return home.
Mutang is survived by his wife Datin Ho May Leng and three children.
The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Friday paid tribute in honour of the late Mutang.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang called on the assembly to observe a minute’s silence.
“It is with utmost sadness and I regret to announce that Datuk Mutang has just passed away while we were on session.
“I’m humbly requested all ahli Yang Berhormat (assemblymen) to show our respect to the late Mutang by giving a one minute silence and say prayers according to our respective beliefs,” he said.
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