
In a Facebook post, he said the 66-year-old Lazim breathed his last at 6.23am in a private hospital, adding that his remains will be taken to his village in Kampung Kebatu, Beaufort for burial.
He thanked his family and friends for their prayers when he was hospitalised. Lajim was Beaufort MP from 2008 to 2013.
Lajim, who was also a Bersatu Supreme Council member, was confirmed Covid-19 positive on Aug 12 and had been hospitalised since then. On Aug 24, he was put under an induced coma.
Ismail said that the hospital had previously informed them that that Lajim’s oxygen reading showed good progress during the treatment period. However, his health condition deteriorated early this morning before he passed away.
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said Lajim was an experienced politician who contributed significantly in shaping the direction of the party.
The former prime minister, in conveying his condolences to the family, said that his passing was a great loss for him.
“Lajim was a friend, whom I have known for a long time and we served together in the government before. Representing the party and the Perikatan Nasional, I express my deepest appreciation and thanks for his services.
“Let us recite Al-Fatihah (for the deceased). May his good deeds be rewarded by Allah and his soul be placed among the pious,” he said in a post on his Facebook today.
Lajim was also Sabah deputy chief minister for three terms from 1999.
He also served in the federal government as deputy transport minister from 2008 to 2009, and deputy housing and local government minister from 2009 to 2012.
Lajim joined Umno in 1994 and was subsequently appointed as the Beaufort division chief, before joining PKR in 2016. He then joined Bersatu and was appointed as a Supreme Council member for the term 2019 to 2022.
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