Datuk Mutang Tagal | |
|---|---|
| 20th President of the Dewan Negara | |
| In office 19 February 2024 – 10 May 2024 | |
| Monarch | Ibrahim Iskandar |
| Prime Minister | Anwar Ibrahim |
| Deputy | Nur Jazlan Mohamed |
| Preceded by | Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar |
| Succeeded by | Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah |
| Senator (Appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong) | |
| In office 15 February 2024 – 10 May 2024 | |
| Monarch | Ibrahim Iskandar |
| Prime Minister | Anwar Ibrahim |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Bukit Mas | |
| In office 26 April 1982 – 21 October 1990 | |
| Preceded by | Racha Umong (BN–PBB) |
| Majority | Walkover (1982) 5,863 (1986) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mutang Tagal 5 October 1954 Buduk Nur, Ba'kelalan, Lawas, Crown Colony of Sarawak (now Sarawak, Malaysia) |
| Died | 10 May 2024 (aged 69) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Resting place | Fairy Park Memorial Park, Bintulu-Miri Road, Lambir, Miri, Sarawak |
| Citizenship | Malaysian |
| Nationality | Malaysia |
| Political party | Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) (–2024) |
| Other political affiliations | Barisan Nasional (BN) (–2018) Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) (2018–2024) |
| Spouse | Ho May Leng |
| Relations | Judson Sakai Tagal (elder brother) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Tagal Paran (father), Yamu Pengiran (mother) |
| Education | Bachelors of Law |
| Alma mater | University of Malaya (LLB) Curtin University Malaysia (MBA) |
| Occupation |
|
| Profession | Lawyer |
Datuk Mutang Tagal (5 October 1954 – 10 May 2024) was a Malaysian lawyer, businessman, and politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Mas in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia from April 1982 to October 1990. He left active politics from 1990 until his surprise appointment as the 20th President of the Dewan Negara and Senator from February 2024 to his death in office in May 2024. Mutang Tagal was the first Orang Ulu and indigenous Sarawakian president of the Senate (Dewan Negara) in the history of Malaysia.[1]
He was an ethnic Lun Bawang, growing up in Ba'Kelalan, Sarawak to Christian missionary pastor parents, Tagal Paran (father) and Yamu Pengiran (mother). He grew up during the Christian revival era that occurred in the 1970s among the Lun Bawangs in Sarawak,[2] making an impact on his lifelong journey of faith as a Christian. He was also the younger brother of former State Assistant Minister of Communications of Sarawak and former Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Ba'kelalan Judson Sakai Tagal who passed away in a helicopter crash during an official government work trip with 6 others in July 2004.[3]
As an advocate for legal justice,[4] Mutang has proudly served as a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public, and have contributed extensively to private law practice. His journey in law has seen him partner with esteemed firms such as Mutang and Sam Advocates and Solicitors in Miri; Khaled, Mutang, Chan & Lim in Kuala Lumpur; and Mutang, Bojeng & Chai Advocates & Solicitors in Kuching.[5]
He has also served as Vice President of the Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) and hold advisory positions with the Semaring Group of Companies. His dedication to business and commerce extends further as President of the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OUCCI) and Vice President of the Dayak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI).
He was also a Patron of the Lawas Shooting and Archery Association (LSAA), Advisor to the Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA), Legal Advisor to the Sarawak Lun Bawang Association, Member of the Sarawak Advocates Association, Member of the Sabah Advocates Association, Member of the Malaysian Bar Council, and was an honorary consul of Romania in Sarawak from January 2017 until his appointment as the President of the Senate in February 2024.
He was Member of the Supreme Council of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), a component party of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and formerly Barisan Nasional (BN) coalitions.