'I lost a true friend,' Zahid mourns Bung's demise

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mourned the death of Bung Moktar Radin, describing the news of the latter’s demise as heartbreaking.

“Today, I lost a true friend and comrade who had stayed loyal to us during good and tough times.

“And I cannot find the words to describe this loss. The only thing I have now are prayers, his memories, and the good deeds he has left us with,” Zahid said on X, in a heartfelt tribute to the former Sabah Umno chief.

Bung died at the Gleneagles Hospital in Kota Kinabalu at the age of 66.

His son, Naim Kurniawan Moktar, announced his father’s passing in a Facebook post earlier today.

“It is with great sadness that my father, Moktar Radin, has passed away on Dec 5 at 1.46am. We kindly request prayers for his soul to be blessed with mercy and placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah,” Naim wrote.

Bung was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon to receive treatment for complications involving his lungs, heart, and kidneys.

In expressing condolences to Bung’s family, Zahid said Umno, BN, and Malaysians will pray for the deceased leader.

“May God bless his soul and place him among the righteous,” the deputy prime minister added.

Taking to Facebook, BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir described Bung as a principled man who had contributed greatly to Sabah and the country.

“Thank you for all your services, sacrifices, and contributions to the people, Sabah, and the nation,” the higher education minister added.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that despite their different political leanings, he had always respected Bung’s tenacity and courage in championing his cause.

“And his outspokenness had always made Dewan Rakyat sessions lively, leaving behind memories and inspiration to all of us,” the PKR MP stated on Facebook.

‘Significant contributions’

Tributes also poured in from Sabah, with Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin saying he was saddened by the loss of a leader who had made significant contributions to Sabah Umno.

“May his whole family continue to be patient with Allah’s will. Let’s all pray that his soul is blessed and placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah,” Bernama reported the Umno supreme council member as saying.

Sabah Umno Election Department director and Putatan Umno division chief Jeffery Nor Mohamad was also saddened by Bung’s demise, adding that he last saw Bung when he visited him at the hospital at 1.30am today.

“He taught me a lot about the spirit of struggle. Allah SWT loves him more. I am very sad; I managed to speak to him on the phone. Insya-Allah, I’ll remember his advice,” he said.

Sabah Umno treasurer Salleh Said Keruak said Bung was a figure who contributed greatly, especially in Sabah’s political arena and the state’s development.

“His passing is a great loss to the community and the state. May Allah SWT bless his soul and place him among the righteous, and grant him heaven as his resting place,” he said.

State Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Yusof Apdal, who is also the Lahad Datu MP, also expressed his condolences to the family, relatives and acquaintances on the demise of Bung.

Tempasuk state assemblyperson Arsad Bistari from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) conveyed his condolences to Bung’s family and prayed that he be placed among the righteous.

Veteran politician Bung Moktar dies

Bung Moktar in critical condition

Former chief of defence forces Hashim dies, age 90

Ex-MIC president Palanivel dies