He was quoted by Nation Times as saying that Hamsan was still under intensive care at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu, as of 7.30pm. He is said to be in critical condition although his illness has not been disclosed.

The aide was responding to viral postings on social media claiming that Hamsan had died this evening.

State finance minister Masidi Manjun took to X to convey his condolences to Hamsan’s family. However, his post has since been deleted.

Hamsan is among several Sabah Umno assemblymen who disobeyed party orders to withdraw support for chief minister Hajiji Noor in January 2023.

He was elected as Sungai Sibuga assemblyman in the 2020 state election, defeating his closest contender, Warisan’s Armani Mahiruddin, with a 1,538-vote majority. He was later appointed state assistant minister of local government.