By Nur Hazirah Syukur & Noor Shahhira Hady
KUCHING: The remains of the late Tan Sri Abang Ahmad Urai Abang Mohideen was buried at the Kuching Division Mosque cemetery, here today afternoon (June 12).
The hearse carrying his remains arrived at the mosque compound at about 1.20pm from Al-Hakim Mosque, Kampung Muda Hashim near here accompanied by family members and friends.
A funeral prayer was conducted by the Imam of the Kuching City Mosque, San’ani Fauzi, after which the body was taken to the cemetery for burial around 1.50 pm.
Abang Ahmad Urai, a former Dewan Negara president breathed his last at 12.30 am yesterday at Normah Medical Specialist Centre.
He passed at the age of 89, before that he attended a dinner in conjunction with his appointment as patron of the Sarawak Malay National Association (PKMS) at the Waterfront Hotel here.
Ahmad Urai was also a veteran Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leader.
Born on June 23, 1933, Ahmad Urai served as president of the Dewan Negara from July 12, 1988 to July 9, 1990 and retired after serving a full six-year term as a senator.
Before serving as the president of the Dewan Negara, he was appointed as the deputy president of the Senate from July 29, 1985 to July 10, 1988.
Prior to serving as Senator, Abang Ahmad Urai was appointed as Sarawak Assistant Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports in 1976 and was later appointed as the Agriculture and Community Development Minister in 1981.
He was married to Maria Anne Abdullah and had two children while his second marriage was with Puan Sri Monique Miles Abdullah.
Meanwhile, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Ahmad Urai had contributed a lot to Sarawak and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), as he had been involved in politics since before Independence.
“PBB has certainly lost a leader with vast experience and for me personally I have lost an uncle. He was among the older generation of leaders who guided us on how to serve the community,” said Abang Johari, who is PBB president.
He was speaking to reporters after attending a Gawai open house at Dewan Suarah Bau.
