KUCHING: The late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud is lying in state at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex here on Thursday (Feb 22).

The casket, draped in a Sarawak flag, was brought to the building's atrium at 7.50am.

Members of the public and dignitaries began filing past to pay their last respects at 8am.

Taib's wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib and his children Jamilah, Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman and Datuk Hanifah Hajar were present to receive well-wishers.

Among the first to arrive was bank employee Hafizah Mohamed.

"I came because of the person himself. He contributed so much to Sarawak, so we should pay respects to him," she said.

Taib, Sarawak’s former governor and chief minister, passed away on Wednesday (Feb 21) at the age of 87.

Hafizah said she admired his leadership and considered him a legend.

"I'm thankful for all the development he's done. It's because of him that we are where we are now," she added.

Another member of the public, who only wanted to be known as Madam Wong, said she came with three of her colleagues.

"We are Sarawakians, so we want to pay our last respects," she said.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg arrived at about 9.25am to pay his respects.

He was accompanied by state secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.

Earlier, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and members of the Sarawak United People's Party paid their respects.

After the state funeral, Taib's remains will be brought to Masjid Demak for prayers.

He will then be laid to rest at the family cemetery at his private residence in Demak Jaya here.