KUCHING (Bernama): A ceremony will be held for the public to pay their last respects to the late Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing on Wednesday (Nov 3).

       The Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), in a statement Sunday (Oct 31), said the ceremony will take place at the Association of Churches in Sarawak, Jalan Stampin, here.

       "The session for dignitaries is from 8.30am to 9.30am, followed by the session for members of the public from 9.30am to 2pm.

       "The public is advised to wear proper attire and take the Covid-19 RTK tests before coming,” the statement read.

       According to UKAS, Masing died of heart complications and his last Covid-19 test had returned negative.

       "His remains will be taken to the Nirvana Memorial Park, Kuching, after the ceremony,” it said.

       Masing, who is also Baleh assemblyman, passed away at the Normah Sarawak Medical Centre (NSMC) in Petra Jaya at 7.05am Sunday.

       The 72-year-old Parti Rakyat Sarawak president was admitted to the intensive care unit at Sarawak General Hospital in September after he tested positive for Covid-19 and was later transferred to NSMC for further treatment. - Bernama