KOTA KINABALU – Tributes are pouring in for vocal Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) activist Zainnal Ajamain, who died at his Damai Luyang home here about 3am today.
Zainnal, who served as an adviser to the Warisan-led state government in the federal-state MA63 talks, reportedly died of a heart attack and is expected to be laid to rest in Putatan today.
Tributes poured in for Zainnal on social media, most expressing that his passing is a huge loss to Sabah given his commitment to educating Sabahans about matters pertaining to MA63.
Warisan’s Penampang MP Datuk Darell Leiking said from the first day he met the man, Zainnal was passionate, persistent, and consistent with the cause for MA63, and adamant to ensure Sabah would have an equal place in the federation.
Another Warisan member, Datuk Ismaily Bungsu shared in a Facebook post that he was close to Zainnal and often talked about MA63 issues over coffee at a mamak shop.
“I reminded Zainnal to take care of his health. I thought to myself, if I leave the world first, it is fine but Sabah cannot lose an important person like Zainnal.
“I feel so sad and I cried knowing that he had passed. I have lost my best friend.”
Meanwhile, Warisan Wirawati deputy chief Jo-Anna Henley Rampas said Zainnal’s fight to inform the uninformed about MA63 was a blessing to all Sabahans.
She said the fight for MA63 has to continue without Zainnal, and expressed her condolences to his family.
Warisan Secretary-General Datuk Loretto Padua said Zainnal’s efforts to study and fight for Sabah’s rights under MA63 will be remembered by the people of Sabah.
“Zainnal was not a politician. Regardless of who the government was, he was consistent in his mission to fight for MA63. When Warisan became the state government, we had given him a platform for his fight.
“We hope that his family will be strong to face this difficult time,” he said. – The Vibes, October 10, 2021
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