KOTA KINABALU – Scores of Sabah leaders today paid tribute to Toh Puan Rahimah Stephens, the widow of Sabah’s first chief minister Tun Mohd Fuad Stephens, who died early today following a heart attack.
PBS secretary-general Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said Rahimah left a huge legacy in Kiulu, where she was the elected representative between 1976 and 1985.
“Her huge contributions in pushing the development of infrastructures such as the Kiulu-Tamparuli road and electricity in Kiulu will always be remembered as her legacy as the Kiulu assemblyman.
“She was never stingy with advice and encouragement each time I met her. In each of our conversations, it was obvious that Kiulu was close to her heart,” the Kiulu assemblyman said in a Facebook post today.
The 91-year-old’s death comes after the local media reported that she was hospitalised over the weekend following a fall in which she suffered a broken bone.
It is learnt that a surgeon was due to arrive today to treat her, but it was too late.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor also paid tribute to Rahimah along with many other leaders in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah alliance.
Rahimah had attended events commemorating the Double Six Tragedy near Sembulan here every year.
The Double Six Tragedy in 1976 was an air crash that killed many state ministers at the time, including her husband and then-chief minister Fuad.
Fuad was one of the founding fathers of Malaysia.
The incident occurred only a couple of months after Fuad’s Berjaya party won the Sabah elections on April 14, 1976.
A political veteran, Rahimah also served as Sabah’s community service minister, the first woman to be appointed to a minister’s post.
She is survived by three children, namely Asgari Stephens, Faridah Stephens, and Fauziah Stephens. – The Vibes, March 14, 2022
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