The Borneo Post SEEDS writer Jude Toyat is currently reporting from the residence of the late Bujang Taha.
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2.40pm: Datuk Malek Noor, Bujang’s former contender has arrived at the cemetery. According to him, RM11,000 will be given to the family from Yayasan Kebajikan Atlit Malaysia (YAKAM).
2.20pm: The funeral cortege has left for the Samariang Muslim Cemetery in Petra Jaya where Bujang will be laid to rest.
Datuk Malek Noor (first left, seated) at the funeral.
10.12am: Asajaya assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman arrive to pay their respects.
Daud (left) and Karim (second left) paying their respects to Bujang.
Daud (middle) talking to some of Bujang’s family members as Abdul Karim and others look on.
A scene from the late Bujang’s house
8.13am: Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip comes to pay his respects.
Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip (left) is among the mourners at the late Bujang Taha’s house in Petra Jaya this morning.
KUCHING: Sarawak lost a star athlete yesterday when legendary bodybuilder Bujang Taha, 77, passed away at Sarawak General Hospital due to complications from mouth and lung cancer.
When he first started out in bodybuilding, he trained under teacher and bodybuilder Hamdan Yusuf at Masjid Bintangor Haji Taha (MBHT) Club, going on to compete and win Mr Kuching (1971) and third place in Mr Sarawak (1973).
In 1975, he represented Sarawak in the Mr Malaysia competition where he won the Master category. He was Mr Asean in 1980 and Mr Asia in 1980 and 1981, earning him the Ahli Bintang Sarawak state award in 1982.
Bujang also won a gold medal at the 1975 SEA Games and a silver at the 1983 Asian Games. He won the Sarawak Sportsman Award twice in 1981 and 1989.
He left behind 10 children, 35 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.