Former deputy rural development minister Yahya Lampong dies at 86

Kota Kinabalu - Former deputy rural development minister and Kota Belud MP Datuk Yahya Lampong passed away at the age of 86 at KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, according to his son Masley Yahya, who confirmed the news on Facebook. The exact cause of death remains unconfirmed. In a touching message, Masley prayed for his father's forgiveness, mercy, and entry into Jannatul Firdaus.

The body of Yahya, who served as the Kota Belud MP from 1982 to 1986, was taken to Nurul Islam Mosque in Ampang for washing and funeral prayers. Yahya initially contested the Usukan state seat in 1981 on the Berjaya ticket, before running for the Papar parliamentary seat as a PKR candidate in the 2013 General Election.