KUCHING: Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the Federal Works Minister, expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of Senate President Datuk Mutang Tagal.
Nanta shared that Mutang was not only a political comrade but also a close friend to him and his family.
He reminisced about their shared history, as Mutang had worked alongside Nanta’s father, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi, who served as the Secretary-General of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) during that time.
Nanta recalled the significant role his father played in bringing Mutang into PBB in the 1970s, leading to Mutang’s subsequent tenure as a Member of Parliament from the 1980s to the 1990s.
In a heartfelt Facebook post yesterday (May 10), Nanta expressed his deep sense of loss upon hearing the news of Mutang’s passing.
As the secretary-general for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and PBB, Nanta conveyed his condolences on behalf of the party.
He emphasized that Mutang’s demise was a tremendous loss for Sarawak and the entire nation.
Nanta acknowledged the historical significance of Mutang’s appointment as the 20th President of the Senate earlier this year, as he became the first person from the Lun Bawang ethnic group to hold this esteemed position.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the entire Lun Bawang community during this difficult time,” Nanta said, wishing them strength to cope with their loss.
Mutang, aged 70, passed away yesterday (May 10) at 11:46 am at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur. He had been receiving treatment at the Heart Institute since falling ill during a work trip to Azerbaijan on May 6.
