His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the state funeral of Allahyarham Tun Dato Laila Utama Pehin Sri Dr Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud, former Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak in Kuching, Malaysia yesterday.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
His Majesty was welcomed on arrival at Kuching International Airport by Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Dato Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan as Minister-in-Attendance and Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner to Malaysia Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mahmud bin Haji Saidin @ Haji Md Saidin.
His Majesty then attended Zohor and funeral prayers for Allahyarham Tun Dato Laila Utama Pehin Sri Dr Haji Abdul Taib at Demak Mosque. The former Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak was laid to rest at Demak Jaya Cemetery.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Dr Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar and Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg were present.
The former Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak was born on May 21, 1936 in Miri and passed away on February 21 at Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur at the age of 87.
His Majesty bestowed Brunei Darussalam State Honorary Medals to Allahyarham Tun Dato Laila Utama Pehin Sri Dr Haji Abdul Taib – the Most Esteemed Family Order Laila Utama (DK), which carries the title of Dato Laila Utama on August 14, 2014 and the Most Honourable Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei (SPMB) First Class which carries the title of Dato Seri Paduka on September 3, 1989.
