KOTA KINABALU – Senator Datuk Guandee Kohoi died at Kuala Lumpur Hospital today, following complications from Covid-19.
He was 67 years old.
The Sabah Star secretary-general also briefly served as the deputy tourism, arts and culture minister from April until August in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet.
A former reporter, Guandee served for both RTM and Sabah Daily Express and had extensively covered the Double Six Tragedy air crash.
Kohoi died at Kuala Lumpur Hospital at 4.45pm today after being admitted at 5am earlier by an aide after he had complained of chest pains.
He was in Kuala Lumpur to attend the Perikatan Nasional meeting on Sunday evening but subsequently did not attend after testing positive for Covid-19.
Star president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said he was deeply saddened by the news and believed that the party had lost its most valuable warrior and member.
“He was my most loyal ally and dearest friend. He has been with me through thick and thin. Even when I had nothing, he had never left my side. It would be very difficult to replace him,” he said.
Kitingan said he last spoke to Kohoi at 10am today when Kohoi called him from the hospital.
“He told me he was fine and not to worry. He assured me he will be out in three, four days. This really breaks my heart,” he said.
According to Kitingan’s private secretary, Rizal Johari, Kohoi’s family with the exception of his wife who also tested positive for Covid-19 are already on their way to Kuala Lumpur to claim his remains. – The Vibes, October 26, 2021
