Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, still recuperating after undergoing surgery to remove a lump, recited prayers from a Singapore hospital for the soul of his 89-year-old mother Hamidah Yakub who died on Friday morning via cellular phone.

The Sarawak Tribune reported on its front page today that although Taib was unable to attend his mother's funeral yesterday afternoon, he recited prayers via the mobile phone.

Taib's siblings and wife Laila handled the funeral arrangements and the burial was held after noon prayers.

The New Straits Times reported that after Hamidah's coffin was lowered into the grave, Taib telephoned his youngest daughter Hanifah to find out how the funeral was proceeding.

To the surprise of those present, he asked Hanifah to hold the cell phone close to the grave and started reciting his final prayers for his mother.

"I was surprised that he called Hanifah at the right moment and managed to offer his doa for the deceased. We were about to offer our prayers after the grave was covered," Laila said.

Taib's mother is elder sister of former Governor and Chief Minister Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub.

Rahman was present

According to Rahman's daughter Norlia, his father was at the Taib residence in Demak Jaya and later at the State Mosque in Petra Jaya to pay his last respects.

"Laila spoke to my father, so did other close members of Taib's own family," said Norlia, who was present at Taib's residence where her late aunt had been staying.

Rahman stepped down as chief minister in 1981 to make way for his nephew Taib and became Head of State. The two had a serious falling out, with the former making an unsuccessful attempt to topple Taib's government in 1987.

Taib's mother was rushed to hospital on Wednesday night when her condition worsened. She died yesterday morning at 9.35am.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan, Taib had been advised by his doctors not to travel with one week of the operation.

"But he is okay and doing very well," Dr Chan was quoted as saying by the Sarawak Tribune .

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.