[UPDATED] Bersatu’s Lajim Ukin succumbs to Covid-19

KOTA KINABALU – Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia executive chairman Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin died of Covid-19 at KPJ Specialist Hospital here this morning.

His wife Datin Seri Normilah Siong confirmed the matter to Bernama, saying the 66-year-old Bersatu supreme council member breathed his last at 6.23am.

Lajim’s special officer Ismail Norazman in a statement said: “Thank you for all your prayers. May Allah place him among His pious servants, all his sins are forgiven, and all his good deeds accepted.”

The former Sabah deputy chief minister was buried at the Muslim cemetery in his hometown of Kg Kebatu in Beaufort at 1.50pm.

Hundreds of people, including his family members, were present, but were not allowed near the burial site, which was cordoned off by police.

Lajim had been placed under an induced coma for follow-up treatment on Tuesday.

Ismail said the hospital earlier informed that Lajim’s oxygen levels showed good progress during treatment, but his condition deteriorated early today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob conveyed his condolences to Lajim’s family, and described his death as a big loss to the nation.

“May his soul be placed among the righteous,” he said on Facebook.

Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Lajim was an experienced politician who contributed significantly to shaping the party’s direction.

Conveying his condolences to Lajim’s family, the former prime minister said his party colleague’s death deals a great blow.

“Lajim was a friend I had known for a long time. We served together in the government before. Representing the party and Perikatan Nasional, I express my deepest appreciation and thanks for his services.

“Let us recite Al-Fatihah. May his good deeds be rewarded by Allah and his soul placed among the pious,” he said in a Facebook post.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak, another former prime minister, also took to social media to convey his condolences to the deceased’s kin.

Lajim held the post of deputy chief minister for three terms from 1999.

He was also deputy transport minister at the federal level from 2008 to 2009, and deputy housing and local government minister from 2009 to 2012.

Lajim joined Umno in 1994 and was made Beaufort division chief. He moved to PKR in 2016.

He then crossed over to Bersatu, and was appointed to the supreme council for the 2019-22 term. – Bernama, August 29, 2021