KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 ― The remains of former Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, 87, who died early today at a private hospital here, were brought to the National Mosque for prayers.

Abdul Taib died at 4.40am after about a week of receiving treatment at the hospital.

The body of the former chief minister of Sarawak was taken in a Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) vehicle to the mosque at 9.05am for the funeral prayers before being brought back to Kuching for the burial.

Earlier, family members and friends of the deceased were seen gathering at the hospital grounds. Among those spotted were Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. ― Bernama