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Former deputy minister Lajim Ukin dies of Covid-19

He had been in an induced coma since Aug 24.

Bernama
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Former Sabah deputy chief minister Lajim Ukin. Photo: Bernama
Former Sabah deputy chief minister Lajim Ukin. Photo: Bernama

Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia executive chairman Lajim Ukin died of Covid-19 at the KPJ Specialist Hospital in Kota Kinabalu this morning.

His death was confirmed by his wife Normilah Siong when contacted by Bernama. She said that Lajim, 66, died at 6.23am.

His special officer, Ismail Norazman, said the remains of Lajim, who was also the former Sabah deputy chief minister, will be brought to his hometown in Kampung Kebatu, Beaufort for burial.

“Thank you for all your prayers. May Allah place him among His pious servants, all his sins are forgiven and all his good deeds are accepted,” he said in a statement today.

At 2pm on Aug 24, Lajim, who was a member of the Bersatu Supreme Council, was placed in an induced coma at the same hospital for follow-up treatment due to Covid-19 infection.

Ismail said the hospital had previously informed them that Lajim’s oxygen reading showed good progress during the treatment period. However, his condition deteriorated early this morning before he passed away.

Lajim previously served as deputy chief minister of Sabah for three terms from 1999.

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

Lajim joined Umno in 1994 and was appointed as the Beaufort Umno division chief before joining PKR in 2016. He then joined Bersatu before being appointed as a Bersatu Supreme Council member for the term 2019 to 2022.