KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah flag was flown at half-mast yesterday to mark a one-day mourning following the passing of the state’s ninth Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah.
Ahmadshah passed away at KPJ Hospital here at 8.45pm on Tuesday. He was 78.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor extended his condolences to Ahmadshah’s family, describing the latter’s contributions to Sabah as immense.
“On behalf of my family and the state government, I offer our deepest condolences to the family of the late Tun. May his soul be showered with blessings and placed among the righteous.”
Born in Kampung Inanam here on Dec 9, 1946, Ahmadshah began his education at a government school in Darau before attending La Salle Secondary School.
He later received a Diploma and Bachelor of Science from the United Kingdom and United States, respectively.
Ahmadshah began his career as a Customs officer in Kota Kinabalu in 1968.
He went on to serve as director of the State Civil Service, head of the Internal Affairs and Research Division in the Chief Minister’s Department and secretary of the Sabah Islamic Religious Council.
He was sworn in as Sabah Governor on Jan 1, 2003, and served two terms before stepping down on Dec 31, 2010.
Ahmadshah is survived by three sons and a daughter. His wife, Toh Puan Dayang Masuyah Awang Japar, passed away in 2020.