KOTA KINABALU – Political veteran Datuk Kadoh Agundong died earlier today aged 73 following an illness.
Condolence messages poured in from politicians in Sabah today, after Kadoh’s passing at Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.
Kadoh, who was a former Melalap assemblyman and Padas MP, had served as state minister of culture, youth and sports as well as state minister of local government and housing during the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) administration in the mid-1980s.
He was once dubbed the “giant-killer” for defeating then Sabah chief minister Datuk Harris Salleh in an election in 1985.
Former Kemabong assemblyman Jamawi Jaafar shared in a Facebook post today that he had known Kadoh since he was a child, and Kadoh had helped him further his education in Universiti Putra Malaysia in 1991.
“It is such a huge loss for the people of Tenom,” he said.
PBS vice-president Datuk Johnny Mositun was quoted in the Jesselton Times news portal today acknowledging that Kadoh contributed immensely to PBS’ early struggles.
“Kadoh has buoyed our spirits to fight for the rights of Sabahans and the state. We never expected the late Kadoh to dethrone Harris in the 1985 state election.
“This was a historic victory for PBS led by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan at that time and until now, we still remember him (Kadoh) as a ‘giant-killer’.”
Many also shared that Kadoh was the first Murut to hold a position in the state cabinet and that he would remain as the pride of his tribe. – The Vibes, June 30, 2022
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