PETALING JAYA: Friends of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin remember him as a true friend and a great leader as they mourn his passing.
Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was heartbroken to hear news of Bung Moktar's death.
“Today, I have lost a true friend, a partner in our struggle and an individual who stood behind me during good and trying times.
“There are no words to describe this loss. What is left is my prayers for all the good deeds that he had done,” said Ahmad Zahid in a Facebook post.
The Deputy Prime Minister extended condolences on behalf of Umno and Barisan to Bung Moktar's family.
Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who was Bung Moktar's compatriot in Umno, said he lost a leader but a friend.
As he shared a photograph of himself and Bung Moktar at a campaign during the Sandakan by-election in 2019, Rahman, who is Sabah Barisan deputy chief and Tuaran Umno head wrote: “In our hearts, you are still a hero. Alfatihah to a fighter.”
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also extended his condolences over Bung Moktar's passing.
Bukit Bintang Umno chief Datuk Tengku Azman Tengku Zainol Abidin wrote how sad he is to lose a friend and a leader who has made tremendous contributions to the party, particularly in Sabah.
Former Umno leader Tan Sri Noh Omar said he was saddened by the passing of a friend whom he had known for decades.
“Thank you for the friendship and the experience we once shared in the struggle. There are too many memories between us,” he said.
News of Bung Moktar's death was announced by his son, Naim Kurniawan earlier on Friday.
The Kinabatangan MP and Sabah Barisan chief breathed his last at 1.46am.
He was 66.
He was admitted to a private hospital for a severe lung infection but took a turn for the worse with kidney complications.
His death comes hardly a week after he retained his Lamag state seat in the Nov 29 Sabah election.
