KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Negara president Senator Datuk Mutang Tagal's contributions and sacrifices will be remembered forever, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a Facebook post, Anwar said Mutang's passing was a huge loss for the country and the people of Sarawak.
"My condolences to Datuk Mutang's family," said Anwar.
Mutang, the first Dayak to be appointed Dewan Negara president, passed away earlier today.
He was 69.
He had fallen ill during a work visit to Azerbaijan and was brought back to Malaysia this week for treatment.
Mutang leaves behind his wife Datin Ho Mei Leng and three children.
He was sworn in as the 20th Senate president in February this year. Mutang was also a former member of Parliament, having served as the Bukit Mas representative for two terms.
Prior to joining politics, the ethnic Lun Bawang from Ba'kelalan was a lawyer and businessman.