National hero Kanang Langkau dies

National hero Datuk Temenggong Kanang Langkau, a former soldier, died early today at the Sarawak General Hospital. He was 68.

Kanang died at 1.45 am after he was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance when he complained of breathing difficulties and fainted at home at about midnight, his wife, Datin Brawang Chunggat, said.

"My family and I are still very shocked over my husband's sudden death because he had never complained of any illness and was apparently in the pink o health," she told Bernama.

Kanang, a retired first warrant officer of the 8th Battalion Royal Rangers, was the last surviving recipient of the Sri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) - the country's highest award for bravery.