KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today observed a minute of silence in remembrance of Dewan Negara president Senator Datuk Mutang Tagal who died in May.
The Lower House, at the same time, also observed a minute of silence in remembrance of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) founding president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup who died in April.
At the beginning of sitting today, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul also expressed his condolences to the families of Mutang and Joseph.
"On behalf of all members of the house and the parliament (staff), I would like to extend my condolences to the families of Mutang and Joseph.
"I hope both families remain strong in facing the situation," he said in the Lower House, today.
Mutang, 69, was Malaysia's first indigenous Sarawakian Dewan Negara president. He died in May this year after falling ill during a work visit to Azerbaijan and was brought back to Malaysia for treatment.
He leaves behind his wife Datin Ho Mei Leng and three children.
Meanwhile, Joseph, 80, died in April this year. The veteran politician leaves behind his wife Puan Sri Melinda Mak Soak Fong.
Joseph had retired from politics in January last year, stepping down as PBRS president. His son Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, who was deputy president, took over the presidency.