Yacoob was an active member of the drama team at SM La Salle, Kota Kinabalu.

His friend, Keith Lee, 20, said Yacoob and his brother (wearing a cap in picture) were well-known in school for their jovial outlook on life which never ceased to bring a smile to fellow students in the drama team during stressful times.

“They loved joking around and making their teammates smile.

“Since our drama team is one of the best in Kota Kinabalu, we were always under pressure to perform.

“But they always seemed to be able to find a way to lift up the team’s spirits.

“Whenever things got too serious, they’d crack jokes. It was never dull and it was always fun to be with them,” he told FMT.

Although mischievous at times, Yacoob was a person who would always lend a helping hand to his peers whenever they were in trouble, Lee said.

“He was very selfless and helpful towards his friends. When it came to defending his friends, he would always be there in the frontline.”

Yaacob was among eight youths attacked when they intervened in a lover’s spat outside an entertainment outlet in Kota Kinabalu about 4am today.

One of the men outside the outlet swung a parang randomly at the group.

Yacoob tried to shield a female friend from being slashed and was slashed across his forehead and neck, resulting in his death.

Lee said he found out about Yacoob’s death from a WhatsApp group chat.

“The seniors, the drama team members and our teachers are in shock over the incident.”

Kota Kinabalu district police chief ACP M Chandra said two key suspects had been arrested.