PETALING JAYA: Former Sarawak assistant minister and State Reform Party (STAR) founding president Dr Patau Rubis died on Sunday evening.

He collapsed during the party’s annual general meeting at Grand Supreme Hotel in Kuching.

Dr Patau, who is a Bidayuh, was later pronounced dead at the Sarawak General Hospital at 5pm, a day before his 70th birthday.

He formed STAR after he was suspended from the Sarawak National Party and sacked as state assistant minister in 1995.

Prior to participating in politics, Dr Patau  was the Sarawak deputy director of health, having been appointed to the post in 1982.