Former Bongawan Assemblyman Karim Bujang Dies

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Former Bongawan assemblyman Datuk Karim Bujang died at his residence in Kampung Sipanggil, Putatan near here around noon today. He was 73.

His remains were laid to rest at the Kampung Brunei Muslim Cemetery in Kimanis at about 5.30 pm after funeral prayers were performed at the Imam Abdullah Mosque in his hometown.

The former Bongawan assemblyman, who served for five terms from 1990 to 2013, is survived by his wife Datin Maimun Pg Bagul, two sons and three grandchildren.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor extended his condolences, describing the late Karim as a political leader who had contributed greatly and rendered valuable service to Sabah.

"May the family of the deceased be granted strength and patience in facing this loss, and let us pray together that Allah SWT showers His mercy upon his soul," Hajiji said in a post on his Facebook page.

Kimanis Member of Parliament Datuk Mohamad Alamin also expressed his condolences, describing Karim as his 'political sifu' who had guided and encouraged him throughout his political journey since he first became involved in politics in 2004.

The Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives said that despite political dynamics having seen them compete against each other in the Kimanis parliamentary by-election in 2020, their bond of friendship and goodwill remained strong and cordial.

In politics, Karim joined USNO in 1990 before joining UMNO in 1991 and successfully retained the Bongawan state seat until 2013.

He subsequently contested the Kimanis parliamentary seat on a Parti Warisan ticket in the 2018 General Election and the 2020 Kimanis parliamentary by-election before stepping down as the party's Permanent Chairman and joining Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) in 2024.

-- BERNAMA